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Excellent

#75 of 635 schools in WV

Top 12% in state

Big Otter Elementary School

Elementary School · CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS

59 Ossia Rd, Duck, WV 25063

Enrollment

170

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

8.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia schools

#75 of 635

In district

#1 of 6

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Big Otter Elementary School

8.3/10

Elementary School in Duck · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Clay Christian Academy

4.6/10

8.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Clay Middle School

6.2/10

9.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Big Otter Elementary School

Big Otter Elementary School is a public elementary school in Duck, WV, part of CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS. Big Otter Elementary School serves approximately 170 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Big Otter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #75 of 635 schools in WV.

Structured state assessment records for Big Otter Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.3 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.7
  • WV avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

At 170 students, Big Otter Elementary School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Big Otter Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

36% of students at Big Otter Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data16
Annual Change+3.89 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendImproving
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency61.5% (2025 WVGSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency55.6% (2025 WVGSA)
Math vs. State Avg+8.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.4 pts
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 WVGSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2025 WVGSA)
vs. Expected+20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment7.0Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,509
Chronic Absenteeism35.9%

Big Otter Elementary School — Students at Big Otter Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.7% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 54.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
47.3% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 37 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2012
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
52%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
42%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
57%
2018
Math
52%
2019
Math
52%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
58.1%
ELA
51.2%
2025
Math
61.5%
ELA
55.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.2/10.

How Big Otter Elementary School Compares

See how Big Otter Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.3/10
88th percentile in WV
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.2/10
Excellent
Environment
7.0/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
13 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

59 Ossia Rd, Duck, WV 25063

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Big Otter Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Arnoldsburg School (rated 9.1/10, 14.8 miles away, in nearby Arnoldsburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Little Birch Elementary School (rated 8.8/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Davis Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 15.2 miles away, in nearby Gassaway), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Duck, see our Duck schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.4 mi
School Distance Rating
CLAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Clay 8.1 mi 4.6
Clay Middle School Clay 9.1 mi 6.2
Clay Elementary School Clay 9.1 mi 4.6
Clay County High School Clay 10.2 mi 6.2
Frametown Elementary School Frametown 10.4 mi 7.3
Geary Elementary/Middle School Left Hand 11.4 mi 5.3
Arnoldsburg School Arnoldsburg 14.8 mi 9.1
H E White Elementary School Bomont 14.4 mi 5.3
Calhoun Middle/High School Mount Zion 17.8 mi 6.8
Davis Elementary School Gassaway 15.2 mi 8.3
Lizemore Elementary School Lizemore 19.4 mi 4.5
Birch River Elementary School Birch River 16.6 mi 6.8
Zela Elementary School Summersville 21.3 mi 8.2
Little Birch Elementary School Sutton 17.5 mi 8.8
Nicholas County High School Summersville 21.4 mi 4.8
Summersville Middle School Summersville 21.4 mi 7.1
Sutton Elementary School Sutton 18.5 mi 5.9
SUMMERSVILLE SDA SCHOOL Summersville 22.3 mi
Glade Creek Elementary School Summersville 22.4 mi 7.0
Summersville Elementary School Summersville 23.4 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 25063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$44,471

Median Home Value

$108,500

Population

1,581

College Educated

10.4%

Homeownership

84.8%

Poverty Rate

17.5%

Median Age

49.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Davis Elementary School Gassaway, WV 8.3
Fairplains Elementary School Parkersburg, WV 8.3
Frankford Elementary Frankford, WV 8.3
Smoot Elementary Smoot, WV 8.4
White Hall Elementary School White Hall, WV 8.4
Brushfork Elementary School Bluefield, WV 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Big Otter Elementary School

What grades does Big Otter Elementary School serve?

Big Otter Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Big Otter Elementary School?

Big Otter Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 170 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Otter Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Big Otter Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Big Otter Elementary School rank in WV?

Big Otter Elementary School ranks #75 of 635 schools in WV.

What is Big Otter Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Big Otter Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Big Otter Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Big Otter Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Big Otter Elementary School a charter school?

No, Big Otter Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Big Otter Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Big Otter Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
1 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
170
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Clay County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
35.9%

District

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
1,530
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,509
District Rank
#1 of 6

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