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Needs Improvement

#615 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

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia schools

#615 of 635

In Kingwood

#3 of 3

public schools

In district

#10 of 10

PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

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Preston High School

3.3/10

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

Central Preston Middle School

5.7/10

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

Kingwood Elementary

5.9/10

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

About Preston High School

Preston High School is a public high school in Kingwood, WV, part of PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS. Preston High School serves approximately 1,120 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14:1 student-teacher ratio. Preston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #615 of 635 schools in WV.

Structured state assessment records for Preston High School show 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares2.1 pts below WV schools
  • This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
  • WV avg 5.4

What Parents Should Know

Preston 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.

46% of students at Preston 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-0.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendStable
Academics2.2Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency41% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency25% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected-21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
College Readiness3.0Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate85%
AP Participation5.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.0Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,793
Chronic Absenteeism45.6%

Preston High School — Students at Preston High School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 20.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 36.6% (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
25%
2010
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2011
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
35%
2014
Math
11%
ELA
39%
2015
Math
16%
2016
Math
15%
ELA
50%
2017
Math
10%
ELA
46%
2018
Math
15%
2019
Math
15%
2020*
Math
10%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
10%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
41%

* 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 Preston High School Compares

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

Overall Score
3.3/10
3th percentile in WV
Academic
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
3.0/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.9
Sports
15
7 boys' · 8 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
80 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
45.6%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
5.2% participation·State avg: 2.9 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics15sports offered
7 boys'·8 girls'·23 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

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

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. Aurora School (rated 8.7/10, 11.6 miles away, in nearby Aurora), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cheat Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bruceton School (rated 7.3/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Bruceton Mills), 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 5.7
Kingwood Elementary Kingwood 0.7 mi 5.9
Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg 7.2 mi 3.3
South Preston School Tunnelton 7.4 mi 6.2
West Preston School Arthurdale 7.6 mi 3.4
Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta 7.7 mi 7.1
Aurora School Aurora 11.6 mi 8.7
Fellowsville Elementary Tunnelton 11.9 mi 6.7
Bruceton School Bruceton Mills 13.8 mi 7.3
Crellin Elementary Oakland 12.3 mi 6.3
CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RANCH Morgantown 14.7 mi
Swan Meadow School Oakland 15.1 mi 5.6
Cheat Lake Elementary School Morgantown 16.7 mi 7.8
Brookhaven Elementary School Morgantown 15.9 mi 7.1
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 5.4
AMPLIFY CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Morgantown 17.9 mi 5.4
Southern Garrett High School Oakland 15.8 mi 6.0
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buckhannon Upshur High School Buckhannon, WV 3.5
Lincoln County High School Hamlin, WV 4.2
Martinsburg High School Martinsburg, WV 4.2
Oak Hill High Oak Hill, WV 4.2
Princeton Senior High School Princeton, WV 4.2
Capital High School Charleston, WV 4.3

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 ranks #615 of 635 schools in WV.

What is Preston High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Preston High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Preston High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Preston High School has 21% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
21 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
45.6%
4-Year Graduation
85.0%

District

PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
3,949
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,793
District Rank
#10 of 10

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