Skip to main content

Average

#454 of 635 schools in WV

Independence High School

High School · RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS

850 Independence Rd, Sophia, WV 25921

Enrollment

592

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia schools

#454 of 635

In Sophia

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#20 of 26

RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Independence High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Independence High School

5.3/10

High School in Sophia · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Independence Middle School

6.7/10

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

Coal City Elementary

4.1/10

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

About Independence High School

Independence High School is a public high school in Sophia, WV, part of RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS. Independence High School serves approximately 592 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Independence High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 out of 10 and ranks #454 of 635 schools in WV.

Structured state assessment records for Independence High School show 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.3 · Average
  • District avg 5.1
  • WV avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Independence High 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.

37% of students at Independence High 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics3.1Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency27% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-14.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile12th
College Readiness8.8Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate82%
AP Participation10.3%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,305
Chronic Absenteeism37.3%

Independence High School — Students at Independence High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 25 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
32%
ELA
42%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
12%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
27%
2016
Math
17%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
17%
2019
Math
17%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
42%

* 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: 5.1/10.

How Independence High School Compares

See how Independence High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.3/10
29th percentile in WV
Academic
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.9
Sports
11
6 boys' · 5 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
37 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
37.3%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered IB Programme
10.3% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·10 IB enrolled·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics11sports offered
6 boys'·5 girls'·17 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22

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

Location

850 Independence Rd, Sophia, WV 25921

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Independence High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Maxwell Hill Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Beckley), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Beckley), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mabscott Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Mabscott), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Sophia, see our Sophia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Independence Middle School Sophia 0.1 mi 6.7
Coal City Elementary Coal City 0.2 mi 4.1
HOUSE OF PRAYER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophia 1.5 mi
SOPHIA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Sophia 2.2 mi
Ridgeview Elementary Sophia 2.6 mi 7.4
Hollywood Elementary Beckley 5.2 mi 5.1
Mabscott Elementary Mabscott 5.3 mi 8.5
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Beckley 5.2 mi 8.8
Park Middle School Beckley 5.5 mi 6.9
Stratton Elementary Beckley 5.5 mi 5.7
Crescent Elementary Beckley 6.3 mi 6.6
MT TABOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Beckley 6.8 mi
Beckley Elementary Beckley 7.0 mi 6.7
Beckley-Stratton Middle School Beckley 7.2 mi 5.7
Maxwell Hill Elementary Beckley 7.8 mi 9.2
Woodrow Wilson High School Beckley 7.8 mi 4.4
Shady Spring Middle School Shady Spring 6.6 mi 7.1
Shady Spring Elementary Shady Spring 6.6 mi 7.4
Daniels Elementary Daniels 7.0 mi 7.5
Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary Beckley 8.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 25921 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,184

Median Home Value

$99,600

Median Rent

$814/mo

Population

2,820

College Educated

11.6%

Homeownership

58.9%

Poverty Rate

20.6%

Median Age

43.1

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Philip Barbour High School Complex Philippi, WV 5.2
Liberty High School Clarksburg, WV 5.4
Lincoln High School Shinnston, WV 5.4
Poca High School Poca, WV 5.4
Weir High School Weirton, WV 5.4
Petersburg High School Petersburg, WV 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Independence High School

What grades does Independence High School serve?

Independence High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Independence High School?

Independence High School has an enrollment of approximately 592 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Independence High School?

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

How does Independence High School rank in WV?

Independence High School ranks #454 of 635 schools in WV.

What is Independence High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Independence High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.3 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 Independence High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Independence High School has 22% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Independence High School a charter school?

No, Independence High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Independence High School a Title I school?

No, Independence High School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
592
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
37
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Raleigh County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
37.3%
4-Year Graduation
82.0%

District

RALEIGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
10,604
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,305
District Rank
#20 of 26

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.