Excellent
#106 of 635 schools in WV
Top 17% in state
Fall River Elementary School
Elementary School · MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
PO Box 70, Big Sandy, WV 24816
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
118
Student-Teacher
10.7:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia schools
#106 of 635
In district
#1 of 9
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Fall River Elementary School
Elementary School in Big Sandy · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Sandy River Middle School
5.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Iaeger Elementary School
6.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Fall River Elementary School
Fall River Elementary School is a public elementary school in Big Sandy, WV, part of MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS. Fall River Elementary School serves approximately 118 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Fall River Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #106 of 635 schools in WV.
Structured state assessment records for Fall River Elementary School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.1 · Excellent
- District avg 5.1
- WV avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
At 118 students, Fall River 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.
Fall River 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.
61% of students at Fall River 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Fall River Elementary School — Students at Fall River Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)
Based on 37 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.1/10.
How Fall River Elementary School Compares
See how Fall River Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
PO Box 70, Big Sandy, WV 24816
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fall River Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Pineville Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Pineville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Iaeger Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 6.3 miles away, in nearby Iaeger), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Baileysville Elementary & Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 9.3 miles away, in nearby Brenton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Big Sandy, see our Big Sandy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Sandy River Middle School Avondale | 5.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Iaeger Elementary School Iaeger | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Baileysville Elementary & Middle School Brenton | 9.3 mi | 6.5 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw | 8.7 mi | 3.1 |
| River View High School Bradshaw | 8.7 mi | 3.9 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch | 7.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Southside K-8 War | 10.7 mi | 2.7 |
| Huff Cons Elementary & Middle School Hanover | 10.4 mi | 4.0 |
| Mount View High School Welch | 9.6 mi | 3.2 |
| Westside High School Clear Fork | 13.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Pineville Middle School Pineville | 12.4 mi | 4.4 |
| Pineville Elementary School Pineville | 12.4 mi | 8.4 |
| Kimball Elementary School Kimball | 11.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Oceana Middle School Oceana | 16.4 mi | 3.8 |
| Berlin Mckinney Elementary School Oceana | 16.5 mi | 3.1 |
| Wyoming County East High School New Richmond | 15.0 mi | 3.4 |
| Gilbert Pk8 Gilbert | 16.8 mi | 6.5 |
| Glen Fork Elementary & Middle School Glen Fork | 19.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Road Branch Elementary & Middle School Cyclone | 20.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob | 18.9 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24816 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Population
14
College Educated
0%
Homeownership
100%
Poverty Rate
0%
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Crichton Elementary Quinwood, WV | 8.1 |
| Cedar Grove Elementary School Cedar Grove, WV | 8.2 |
| Dingess Elementary School Dingess, WV | 8.0 |
| Leading Creek Elementary Linn, WV | 8.2 |
| Rock Cave Elementary Rock Cave, WV | 8.2 |
| Zela Elementary School Summersville, WV | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fall River Elementary School
What grades does Fall River Elementary School serve?
Fall River Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fall River Elementary School?
Fall River Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 118 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fall River Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Fall River Elementary School is 10.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fall River Elementary School rank in WV?
Fall River Elementary School ranks #106 of 635 schools in WV.
What is Fall River Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Fall River Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Fall River Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Fall River Elementary School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Fall River Elementary School a charter school?
No, Fall River Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fall River Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Fall River Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 118
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 61.0%
- Phone
- (304) 656-7665
Resources & Links
District
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 2,444
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,682
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
Other Schools in This District
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