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Needs Improvement

#601 of 635 schools in WV

George Ward Elementary School

Elementary School · RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS

PO Box 278, Mill Creek, WV 26280

Enrollment

325

Student-Teacher

15.5:1

Score

3.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mill Creek

#2 of 2

public schools

West Virginia elementary schools

#386 of 407

In district

#11 of 11

RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS

About George Ward Elementary School

George Ward Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Mill Creek, West Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 325 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 with 21 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 2.9 out of 10, ranking it at #604 among 641 schools in the state, which suggests there is room for academic growth.

In terms of test performance, George Ward Elementary School has an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of 30% and a Math proficiency rate of 37%. These scores indicate that while many students are meeting or exceeding standards, there is potential for improvement. The school focuses on providing personalized attention to each student, making it a supportive environment where children can grow and develop.

Located in the heart of Mill Creek's rural setting, George Ward Elementary School is an integral part of the local community, fostering a strong sense of belonging among its students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, George Ward 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 Progress3.3Fair50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.13 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.5Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-8.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile26th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.6Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,137

George Ward Elementary School — Students at George Ward Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

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 37.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.5%
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
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
32%
ELA
27%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How George Ward Elementary School Compares

See how George Ward Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.7/10
6th percentile in WV
Academic
4.5/10
4.5/10
Growth
3.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.6/10
Below average

Location

PO Box 278, Mill Creek, WV 26280

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering George Ward Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Midland Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Elkins), which scores notably higher. Another option is Junior Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Junior), which scores notably higher. Additionally, North Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 16.3 miles away, in nearby Elkins), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mill Creek, see our Mill Creek schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Tygarts Valley Middle/High School Mill Creek 0.2 mi 4.7
TYGART VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Beverly 9.5 mi 3.1
Beverly Elementary School Beverly 9.5 mi 4.4
Coalton Elementary School Coalton 11.5 mi 5.4
Elkins High School Elkins 12.9 mi 6.0
Midland Elementary School Elkins 12.9 mi 8.9
Jennings Randolph Elementary School Elkins 14.0 mi 4.4
ELKINS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elkins 13.7 mi 5.9
Randolph County Alternative Center Elkins 14.5 mi
Elkins Middle School Elkins 14.9 mi 4.5
GOOD SHEPHERD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Elkins 14.9 mi
Elkins Third Ward Elementary School Elkins 15.2 mi 4.8
North Elementary School Elkins 16.3 mi 7.1
Junior Elementary Junior 17.2 mi 8.7
HIGHLAND ADVENTIST SCHOOL Elkins 16.7 mi 5.7
Pickens Elementary/High School Pickens 14.3 mi
Washington District Elementary Buckhannon 17.9 mi 4.0
Belington Elementary Belington 21.1 mi 3.0
Belington Middle School Belington 21.2 mi 5.5
Union Elementary School Buckhannon 19.6 mi 2.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 26280 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,386

Median Home Value

$141,300

Median Rent

$842/mo

Population

1,384

College Educated

11.2%

Homeownership

76.3%

Poverty Rate

16.9%

Median Age

46.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding George Ward Elementary School has a median household income of $47,386. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $141,300, with a median rent of $842/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.9%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
North View Elementary School Clarksburg, WV 3.7
Ranson Elementary School Ranson, WV 3.6
Nitro Elementary School Nitro, WV 3.9
Stratton Elementary Beckley, WV 3.5
Augusta Elementary School Augusta, WV 3.4
Mountain Valley Elementary School Bluefield, WV 3.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about George Ward Elementary School

What grades does George Ward Elementary School serve?

George Ward Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend George Ward Elementary School?

George Ward Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 325 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at George Ward Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at George Ward Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does George Ward Elementary School rank in WV?

George Ward Elementary School is ranked #601 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is George Ward Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

George Ward Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.7 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 George Ward Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, George Ward Elementary School has 37.0% math proficiency and 29.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is George Ward Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is George Ward Elementary School a Title I school?

No, George Ward Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Elevated (770/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
325
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Randolph County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RANDOLPH COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
3,534
Schools in District
14
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,936
District Rank
#11 of 11

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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