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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

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 metrics
Student Progress1.1Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-12.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics2.1Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency30%
Reading/ELA Proficiency10%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-16.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile5th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,734

Birch River Elementary School — Students at Birch River Elementary School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 33.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
34.5%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
34.5%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
10%

* 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.

Overall Score
2.6/10
1th percentile in WV
Academic
2.1/10
2.1/10
Growth
1.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

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 mi
School Distance Rating
Little Birch Elementary School Sutton 6.1 mi 3.6
Richwood Middle School Richwood 11.7 mi 4.0
Richwood High School Craigsville 11.7 mi 6.0
Sutton Elementary School Sutton 12.0 mi 8.9
Frametown Elementary School Frametown 11.3 mi 4.7
Davis Elementary School Gassaway 12.1 mi 7.8
Glade Creek Elementary School Summersville 12.6 mi 7.2
Summersville Middle School Summersville 12.9 mi 4.3
SUMMERSVILLE SDA SCHOOL Summersville 13.1 mi
Nicholas County High School Summersville 12.9 mi 4.2
Gauley River Elementary School Craigsville 12.8 mi 4.1
Glade Elementary School Cowen 12.2 mi 5.5
Braxton County High School Sutton 14.4 mi 4.9
Braxton County Middle School Sutton 14.4 mi 3.6
Flatwoods Elementary School Flatwoods 16.2 mi 3.4
NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Summersville 16.2 mi 5.5
Summersville Elementary School Summersville 16.2 mi 7.8
Webster County High School Upperglade 14.5 mi 6.9
Panther Creek Elementary School Nettie 18.7 mi 5.0
Zela Elementary School Summersville 18.3 mi 8.3

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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