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#444 of 635 schools in WV

Rock Branch Elementary

Elementary School · PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS

4616 1st Ave, Nitro, WV 25143

Enrollment

197

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

5.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Nitro

#2 of 3

public schools

West Virginia elementary schools

#299 of 407

In district

#20 of 22

PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic performance

9.5 / 10

Exceptional

About Rock Branch Elementary

Rock Branch Elementary serves 197 students in grades PreK through 5th in Nitro, West Virginia, earning recognition as one of the state's top elementary schools. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.6 out of 10 and ranking 11th out of 641 elementary schools statewide, Rock Branch places in the 98th percentile for academic performance across West Virginia. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6 to 1 with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.

Academic achievement is particularly strong in mathematics, where 72% of students perform at proficient levels or above across all grade levels. In English Language Arts and reading, 47% of students demonstrate proficiency, providing a solid foundation for literacy development. Rock Branch Elementary operates as a regular public school in Putnam County, drawing families from the surrounding community where the median household income is $55,114 and median home values average $112,900.

While 17% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school successfully serves a diverse student population, with some families facing economic challenges as reflected in the area's 18.7% poverty rate. The school is situated in Nitro's mid-size suburban setting, providing students with a community-oriented learning environment that balances small-town familiarity with access to broader educational resources.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 197 students, Rock Branch Elementary is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-6.96 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency72%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)42%
vs. Expected+17.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,149

Rock Branch Elementary — Students at Rock Branch Elementary score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 72.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.0%
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
82%
2021*
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
72%
ELA
47%

* 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: 2.1/10.

How Rock Branch Elementary Compares

See how Rock Branch Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.4/10
30th percentile in WV
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
2.1/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Location

4616 1st Ave, Nitro, WV 25143

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rock Branch Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cross Lanes Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Charleston), which scores notably higher. Another option is Central Elementary School (rated 7.9/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Saint Albans), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Poca Elementary (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Poca), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Nitro, see our Nitro schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Poca High School Poca 0.8 mi 5.4
Poca Middle School Poca 2.0 mi 8.7
Poca Elementary Poca 2.1 mi 7.8
Nitro Elementary School Nitro 2.2 mi 3.9
CROSS LANES CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Cross Lanes 2.0 mi 5.8
Nitro High School Nitro 2.4 mi 6.0
Cross Lanes Elementary School Charleston 2.4 mi 8.2
Andrew Jackson Middle School Charleston 2.5 mi 6.8
Eastbrook Elementary School Winfield 2.8 mi 6.8
Point Harmony Elementary School Cross Lanes 2.8 mi 4.9
Anne Bailey Elementary School Saint Albans 3.8 mi 7.6
Alban Elementary School Saint Albans 4.3 mi 5.6
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Saint Albans 4.4 mi 5.8
Central Elementary School Saint Albans 4.5 mi 7.9
Saint Albans High School Saint Albans 4.7 mi 6.6
Mckinley Middle School Saint Albans 5.2 mi 5.4
Hayes Middle School Saint Albans 5.3 mi 5.2
George C. Weimer Elementary School Saint Albans 5.3 mi 7.0
Lakewood Elementary School Saint Albans 5.5 mi 4.3
TEAYS VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Scott Depot 4.5 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 25143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,088

Median Home Value

$119,300

Median Rent

$878/mo

Population

9,185

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

73.4%

Poverty Rate

20.1%

Median Age

42.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rock Branch Elementary has a median household income of $55,088. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,300, with a median rent of $878/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.1%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Coalton Elementary School Coalton, WV 5.4
Cottageville Elementary School Cottageville, WV 5.4
Geary Elementary/Middle School Left Hand, WV 5.4
Green Bank Elementary-Middle School Green Bank, WV 5.4
OUR LADY OF PEACE SCHOOL Wheeling, WV 5.4
Big Otter Elementary School Duck, WV 5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rock Branch Elementary

What grades does Rock Branch Elementary serve?

Rock Branch Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Rock Branch Elementary?

Rock Branch Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 197 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rock Branch Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rock Branch Elementary is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rock Branch Elementary rank in WV?

Rock Branch Elementary is ranked #444 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is Rock Branch Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rock Branch Elementary has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Rock Branch Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rock Branch Elementary has 72.0% math proficiency and 52.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rock Branch Elementary a charter school?

No, Rock Branch Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rock Branch Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rock Branch Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (3,931/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Nitro). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
197
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
17
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Putnam County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PUTNAM COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
8,826
Schools in District
23
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,757
District Rank
#20 of 22

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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