Below Average
#512 of 635 schools in WV
Preston High School
High School · PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
400 Knight Dr, Kingwood, WV 26537
Enrollment
1,120
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,120
Student-Teacher
14:1
Score
4.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Kingwood
#2 of 3
public schools
West Virginia high schools
#92 of 114
In district
#7 of 10
PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Preston High School
Preston High School serves 1,120 students in grades 9-12 in Kingwood, West Virginia, with a student-teacher ratio of 14.0:1 across 80 full-time equivalent teachers. The school operates as a regular public high school in Preston County, currently ranking #583 out of 641 schools statewide in the 9th percentile. Academically, the school has significant room for growth, with 41% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading, while mathematics presents a particular challenge with 9% of students scoring proficient or above across grade levels.
The school maintains a MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10, reflecting these academic performance areas that need strengthening. Preston High School draws students from a community where the median household income is $58,043 and the median home value is $158,700. About 24% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 13.8% in the surrounding ZIP code of 26537, which has a population of 5,509.
The school is situated in a rural setting in the heart of West Virginia's Preston County, providing students with a close-knit community atmosphere in the scenic Appalachian region.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Preston High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, Preston High 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
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Preston High School — Students at Preston High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
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
↑ 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: 8.8/10.
How Preston High School Compares
See how Preston High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 15% (2019) to 9% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 32% (2021) to 41% (2022).
Location
400 Knight Dr, Kingwood, WV 26537
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Preston High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Crellin Elementary (rated 9.5/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fellowsville Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Tunnelton), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yough Glades Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 15.8 miles away, in nearby Oakland), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kingwood, see our Kingwood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 17.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Central Preston Middle School Kingwood | 0.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Kingwood Elementary Kingwood | 0.7 mi | 4.4 |
| Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg | 7.2 mi | 3.1 |
| South Preston School Tunnelton | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| West Preston School Arthurdale | 7.6 mi | 5.5 |
| Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta | 7.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Aurora School Aurora | 11.6 mi | 3.7 |
| Fellowsville Elementary Tunnelton | 11.9 mi | 9.2 |
| Bruceton School Bruceton Mills | 13.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Crellin Elementary Oakland | 12.3 mi | 9.5 |
| CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RANCH Morgantown | 14.7 mi | — |
| Swan Meadow School Oakland | 15.1 mi | 2.8 |
| Cheat Lake Elementary School Morgantown | 16.7 mi | 6.1 |
| Brookhaven Elementary School Morgantown | 15.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Ridgedale Elementary School Morgantown | 15.3 mi | 7.3 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown | 16.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Yough Glades Elementary Oakland | 15.8 mi | 8.2 |
| AMPLIFY CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Morgantown | 17.9 mi | 5.4 |
| Southern Garrett High School Oakland | 15.8 mi | 5.4 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown | 17.1 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 26537 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,788
Median Home Value
$169,000
Median Rent
$676/mo
Population
5,392
College Educated
24.4%
Homeownership
73.9%
Avg Commute
27.6 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
47
Community Profile
The community surrounding Preston High School has a median household income of $57,788. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $169,000, with a median rent of $676/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Brooke High School Wellsburg, WV | 4.9 |
| Capital High School Charleston, WV | 4.9 |
| Herbert Hoover High School Elkview, WV | 5.0 |
| North Marion High School Farmington, WV | 5.2 |
| Riverside High School Belle, WV | 5.2 |
| Woodrow Wilson High School Beckley, WV | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Preston High School
What grades does Preston High School serve?
Preston High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Preston High School?
Preston High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,120 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Preston High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Preston High School is 14:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Preston High School rank in WV?
Preston High School is ranked #512 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Preston High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Preston High School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 Preston High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Preston High School has 11.3% math proficiency and 36.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Preston High School a charter school?
No, Preston High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Preston High School a Title I school?
No, Preston High School is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,120
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 80
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Preston County
- Phone
- (304) 329-0400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 3,949
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,793
- District Rank
- #7 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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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