Needs Improvement
#632 of 635 schools in WV
Birch River Elementary School
Elementary School · NICHOLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
379 Birch River Rd, Birch River, WV 26610
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
78
Student-Teacher
9.8:1
Score
2.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia elementary schools
#404 of 407
In district
#12 of 13
NICHOLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS
School environment
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Birch River Elementary School
Birch River Elementary School is a small rural school located in Birch River, West Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 78 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.8:1 with eight full-time equivalent teachers. The school's setting is quite remote, nestled among the rolling hills and quiet countryside of Nicholas County.
While Birch River Elementary School currently ranks lower in academic performance compared to other West Virginia schools, it remains committed to nurturing its students' development through personalized attention and support. With 22% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 33% proficiency or above in Math, the school is focused on building a strong educational foundation for each student. Birch River Elementary School thrives within a close-knit rural community where neighbors often know one another well.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 78 students, Birch River Elementary School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9.8:1, Birch River Elementary School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Birch River Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Birch River Elementary School — Students at Birch River Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 1.1/10.
How Birch River Elementary School Compares
See how Birch River Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2019) to 30% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 34.5% (2021) to 10% (2022).
Location
379 Birch River Rd, Birch River, WV 26610
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Birch River Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sutton Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Sutton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Zela Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 18.3 miles away, in nearby Summersville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Davis Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Gassaway), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Birch River, see our Birch River schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 26610 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$43,750
Median Home Value
$96,300
Median Rent
$741/mo
Population
811
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
71.4%
Poverty Rate
11.8%
Median Age
46.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Birch River Elementary School has a median household income of $43,750. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $96,300, with a median rent of $741/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.8%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Genoa Elementary School Genoa, WV | 3.3 |
| Little Birch Elementary School Sutton, WV | 3.6 |
| New Creek Primary School New Creek, WV | 3.6 |
| Lizemore Elementary School Lizemore, WV | 3.7 |
| WEE DISCIPLES CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Kearneysville, WV | 3.8 |
| Sun Valley Elementary School Lerona, WV | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Birch River Elementary School
What grades does Birch River Elementary School serve?
Birch River Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Birch River Elementary School?
Birch River Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 78 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Birch River Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Birch River Elementary School is 9.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Birch River Elementary School rank in WV?
Birch River Elementary School is ranked #632 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Birch River Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Birch River Elementary School has a composite rating of 2.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Birch River Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Birch River Elementary School has 33.0% math proficiency and 22.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Birch River Elementary School a charter school?
No, Birch River Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Birch River Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Birch River Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (515/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 78
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 8
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Nicholas County
- Phone
- (304) 649-2651
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
NICHOLAS COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 3,384
- Schools in District
- 14
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,052
- District Rank
- #12 of 13
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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