Marion County Schools

Every figure on PlainSchools is rendered directly from the source NCES, CRDC and F-33 federal records, no number is typed in by an editor. District totals are aggregated directly from the schools reporting under this district in the source records. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of June 2026.

Fairmont, West Virginia - 19 schools

An equity score of 29/100 ranks Marion County Schools #42 of 56 districts in West Virginia (state average 38). Derived live from how evenly resources are distributed across the district's schools.

At $14,086 per pupil, Marion County Schools ranks #22 of 56 West Virginia districts by per-pupil spending (West Virginia districts). NCES F-33 finance data.

7,406
Total Enrollment
19
Schools
$14,086
Per-Pupil Spending
Combined, Elementary
School Types

District-Level NCES Analysis

Marion County Schools operates 19 public schools serving 7,406 students, placing it among the smaller districts in West Virginia. The school portfolio breaks down into 10 combined, 6 elementary, 3 high schools, a compact enough portfolio that families can compare every campus directly before they move, rent, or enrol. These enrollment and school figures come from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024-25 release, and the district is based in Marion County.

Per-pupil expenditure runs $14,086 according to the NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey, in the upper half of 56 West Virginia districts by per-pupil spending. See how West Virginia compares in our national per-pupil spending analysis. The funding mix is 36.0% local, 51.4% state, and 12.6% federal, a state-revenue-heavy mix that insulates the district somewhat from local property-tax volatility, though it ties funding to state budget cycles. The district's equity score is 29/100, ranked #42 of 56 in West Virginia against a state average of 38, notably less even than the typical district in the state for how evenly funding reaches its schools.

Academic infrastructure includes 3 of 19 schools offering Advanced Placement (23 AP courses district-wide), a 283:1 student-counselor ratio, somewhat above the 250:1 ASCA recommendation, and 25.1% chronic absenteeism from the 2021-22 Civil Rights Data Collection. Demographically, the student body averages 90.1% White, 3.0% African American, 1.3% Hispanic or Latino across the district's schools. Its most demographically mixed campus is Jayenne Elementary School, with a diversity index of 44.0/100.

Its largest campus is Fairmont Senior High School, enrolling 835 students (12% of the district's total enrollment). Its smallest is Fairview Elementary School, at 131 students, a 6x enrollment spread across the district's campuses.

Marion County Schools school enrollment varies 6.4× across entities

Marion County Schools school enrollment ranges from 131 students (lowest) to 835 students (highest), a spread of 704 students. That relatively narrow ratio reflects an unusually homogeneous campus portfolio, most districts have a wider mix of school sizes. Per-school staffing ratios, programme availability, and capital-renovation cycles often diverge inside the same district based on enrollment shape.

Source: NCES Common Core of Data NCES Common Core of Data

Marion County Schools student-counselor ratio is 283:1 — near the typical range (US average ~408) — within the typical range for U.S. public districts

student-counselor ratio is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: the ratio counts FTE counselors against total enrollment, districts that contract intervention or social-emotional staff outside the counselor classification may be under-counted Variation between sub-units within Marion County Schools is typically wider than the Marion County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection NCES Civil Rights Data Collection

Marion County Schools chronic absenteeism rate is 25.1% — near the typical range (US average ~28) — aligned with the national post-pandemic baseline of roughly 28% chronic absenteeism

chronic absenteeism rate is the simplest comparative metric but it does not capture the full picture: a student is chronically absent if they miss ≥10% of enrolled days for any reason, illness, family obligations, or disengagement Variation between sub-units within Marion County Schools is typically wider than the Marion County Schools-aggregate figure suggests.

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22 NCES Civil Rights Data Collection 2021-22

Where does the funding come from?

12.6%
Federal
51.4%
State
36.0%
Local

Funding Equity

29
Equity Score
42 / 56
State Rank
38
State Average

This district scores below average on funding equity. High reliance on local revenue or lower spending may contribute.

Student Demographics

Average demographic composition across 19 schools in Marion County Schools.

White 90.1%
Hispanic or Latino 1.3%
African American 3.0%
Multiracial 4.9%

Source: NCES CCD School Membership 2024-25.

Student-body diversity

Average diversity index 17.6/100

Average Simpson diversity index across Marion County Schools's schools, about the same as the West Virginia average of 17.9.

Most mixed schools

  1. 1 Jayenne Elementary School 44.0
  2. 2 Watson Elementary School 42.9
  3. 3 West Fairmont Middle School 40.4
  4. 4 Fairmont Senior High School 35.4
  5. 5 East Park Elementary School 21.6

Programs & Resources

3 / 19
Schools with AP
23 AP courses total
283:1
Student-Counselor Ratio
25.1%
Chronically Absent

Source: NCES Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) 2021-22.

Schools in Marion County Schools

School Enrollment
Fairmont Senior High School
835
East Fairmont High School
725
North Marion High School
671
East Fairmont Middle School
647
West Fairmont Middle School
592
Watson Elementary School
383
East Dale Elementary School
352
Blackshere Elementary School
328
Barrackville Elementary/Middle School
321
East Park Elementary School
321
Jayenne Elementary School
310
Rivesville Elementary/Middle School
292
Monongah Elementary School
266
Mannington Middle School
231
Monongah Middle School
190
White Hall Elementary School
184
Pleasant Valley Elementary School
179
Fairview Middle School
154
Fairview Elementary School
131

How Marion County Schools Compares to Similar-Size Districts

The West Virginia districts closest to this one in total enrollment.

District Enrollment Spending Funding Mix
Jefferson County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Wayne County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Mercer County Schools Similar size Similar spending Less locally funded
Putnam County Schools Similar size Similar spending Similar funding mix
Fayette County Schools Similar size Similar spending Less locally funded

Comparisons are relative to Marion County Schools's own figures; each column derives from NCES Common Core of Data and the F-33 Finance Survey.

Nearby Districts in West Virginia

Top districts in the same state, compare side-by-side for enrollment, spending, and demographics.

Kanawha County Schools
23,864 students · 67 schools · $13,227/pupil
Compare vs Marion County Schools →
Berkeley County Schools
19,856 students · 32 schools · $12,704/pupil
Compare vs Marion County Schools →
Wood County Schools
11,663 students · 27 schools · $12,407/pupil
Compare vs Marion County Schools →
Cabell County Schools
11,473 students · 26 schools · $14,538/pupil
Compare vs Marion County Schools →
Monongalia County Schools
11,297 students · 18 schools · $13,751/pupil
Compare vs Marion County Schools →

Compare Marion County Schools

See how this district compares to others in enrollment, spending, demographics, and academic resources.

Compare vs Kanawha County Schools →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools are in Marion County Schools?

Marion County Schools has 19 schools, including 3 high, 6 elementary, 10 combined. Total enrollment is 7,406 students.

How much does Marion County Schools spend per student?

Marion County Schools spends $14,086 per student. The district has an equity score of 29/100, ranking #42 in West Virginia.

What is the demographic composition of Marion County Schools?

Marion County Schools students are 90.1% White, 3.0% African American, 1.3% Hispanic or Latino, 0.5% Asian, averaged across 19 schools. Source: NCES CCD Membership 2024-25.

What is the equity score for Marion County Schools?

Marion County Schools has an equity score of 29/100, ranking #42 out of 56 districts in West Virginia.