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Average

#422 of 635 schools in WV

Smithville Elementary

Elementary School · RITCHIE COUNTY SCHOOLS

PO Box 30 State 47-, Smithville, WV 26178

Enrollment

94

Student-Teacher

10.4:1

Score

5.6

Grades

Pre-K – 4th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia elementary schools

#291 of 407

In district

#5 of 5

RITCHIE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic performance

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Smithville Elementary

Smithville Elementary stands out as an exceptional educational institution in rural West Virginia, earning the top ranking among all 641 elementary schools in the state. This small public school serves 94 students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade with an impressive student-teacher ratio of 10.4 to 1, supported by 9 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's academic performance is truly remarkable, with a perfect 10.0 academic score and an overall MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10.

Students demonstrate strong proficiency across core subjects, with 90% achieving proficient or above levels in mathematics and 70% reaching proficiency in English Language Arts and reading. These outstanding results place Smithville Elementary in the 100th percentile statewide, a testament to the dedicated teaching staff and supportive learning environment. The intimate class sizes allow for personalized attention and foster close relationships between educators and students.

Located at PO Box 30 State 47 in Smithville, the school serves the small community of Ritchie County, where the ZIP code 26178 has a population of just 198 residents. Smithville Elementary thrives in this tight-knit rural setting, where community connections and educational excellence go hand in hand.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 94 students, Smithville 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.

Located in a rural area, Smithville Elementary 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 Progress1.4Significantly Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-10.25 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics10.0Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency90%
Reading/ELA Proficiency69.5%
Overall Proficiency80%
Expected (poverty-adj.)34%
vs. Expected+45.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile100th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio10.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,536

Smithville Elementary — Students at Smithville Elementary score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 90.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 79.8%
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
90%
2021*
Math
90%
ELA
90%
2022
Math
90%
ELA
69.5%

* 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: 1.4/10.

How Smithville Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
5.6/10
34th percentile in WV
Academic
10.0/10
10.0/10
Growth
1.4/10
Below average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Location

PO Box 30 State 47-, Smithville, WV 26178

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Smithville Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Wirt County Primary Center (rated 9.4/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Elizabeth), which scores notably higher. Another option is Pleasant Hill School (rated 9.1/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Grantsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Arnoldsburg School (rated 9.1/10, 19.9 miles away, in nearby Arnoldsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Smithville, see our Smithville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 21.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Pleasant Hill School Grantsville 8.8 mi 9.1
LITTLE KANAWHA VALLEY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Big Bend 8.6 mi 6.1
Harrisville Elementary Harrisville 10.0 mi 8.4
Ritchie County Middle Ellenboro 13.1 mi 8.2
Ritchie County High School Ellenboro 13.1 mi 7.0
THE HIGHLAND SCHOOL Ellenboro 16.1 mi
Calhoun Middle/High School Mount Zion 16.4 mi 5.7
Creed Collins Elementary Pennsboro 16.0 mi 6.9
Arnoldsburg School Arnoldsburg 19.9 mi 9.1
Gilmer County High School Glenville 16.7 mi 7.0
Wirt County Middle School Elizabeth 16.1 mi 6.6
Wirt County High School Elizabeth 16.1 mi 6.5
Wirt County Primary Center Elizabeth 16.1 mi 9.4
Gilmer County Elementary School Glenville 17.5 mi 6.5
St. Marys Elementary School Saint Marys 22.6 mi 6.4
Newport Elementary School Newport 23.2 mi 5.1
Pleasants County Middle School Belmont 22.9 mi 5.2
Belmont Elementary School Belmont 22.9 mi 6.2
St. Marys High School Saint Marys 24.7 mi 5.2
Doddridge County High School West Union 21.6 mi 9.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 26178 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$35,203

Median Home Value

$153,100

Population

272

College Educated

3.9%

Homeownership

45.1%

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

44.8

Community Profile

The community surrounding Smithville Elementary has a median household income of $35,203. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $153,100. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ST PAULS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Weirton, WV 5.6
Verdunville Elementary School Verdunville, WV 5.6
West Liberty Elementary School West Liberty, WV 5.6
Paw Paw Elementary School Paw Paw, WV 5.7
Confidence Elementary Liberty, WV 5.8
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI Saint Albans, WV 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Smithville Elementary

What grades does Smithville Elementary serve?

Smithville Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 4th.

How many students attend Smithville Elementary?

Smithville Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 94 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Smithville Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Smithville Elementary is 10.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Smithville Elementary rank in WV?

Smithville Elementary is ranked #422 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is Smithville Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Smithville Elementary has a composite rating of 5.6 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 Smithville Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Smithville Elementary has 90.0% math proficiency and 79.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Smithville Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Smithville Elementary a Title I school?

No, Smithville Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (406/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 4th
Enrollment
94
Student-Teacher Ratio
10.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
9
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ritchie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

RITCHIE COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
1,159
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,964
District Rank
#5 of 5

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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