Average
#347 of 635 schools in WV
South Preston School
Elementary School · PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
5258 South Preston Highway, Tunnelton, WV 26444
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
330
Student-Teacher
13.2:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia schools
#347 of 635
In Tunnelton
#2 of 2
public schools
In district
#5 of 10
PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very Good
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South Preston School
Elementary School in Tunnelton · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fellowsville Elementary
4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Rowlesburg School
4.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Preston School
South Preston School is a public elementary school in Tunnelton, WV, part of PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS. South Preston School serves approximately 330 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.2:1 student-teacher ratio. South Preston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #347 of 635 schools in WV.
Structured state assessment records for South Preston School show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- WV avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at South Preston School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
South Preston 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.
33% of students at South Preston 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Preston School — Students at South Preston School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)
Based on 36 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How South Preston School Compares
See how South Preston School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
5258 South Preston Highway, Tunnelton, WV 26444
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Preston School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Aurora School (rated 8.7/10, 12.5 miles away, in nearby Aurora), which scores notably higher. Another option is Cheat Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 19.4 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kasson Elementary/Middle School (rated 7.7/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Moatsville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tunnelton, see our Tunnelton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Fellowsville Elementary Tunnelton | 4.5 mi | 6.7 |
| Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg | 4.9 mi | 3.3 |
| Central Preston Middle School Kingwood | 7.3 mi | 5.7 |
| Kingwood Elementary Kingwood | 7.6 mi | 5.9 |
| West Preston School Arthurdale | 8.3 mi | 3.4 |
| Preston High School Kingwood | 7.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Kasson Elementary/Middle School Moatsville | 12.0 mi | 7.7 |
| Aurora School Aurora | 12.5 mi | 8.7 |
| CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RANCH Morgantown | 15.3 mi | — |
| Ridgedale Elementary School Morgantown | 14.8 mi | 7.3 |
| Terra Alta/east Preston School Terra Alta | 13.3 mi | 7.1 |
| Anna Jarvis Elementary School Grafton | 13.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Grafton High School Grafton | 14.2 mi | 4.9 |
| Brookhaven Elementary School Morgantown | 17.4 mi | 7.1 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morgantown | 16.8 mi | 6.2 |
| COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown | 18.0 mi | 7.2 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown | 18.3 mi | 5.9 |
| MORGANTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morgantown | 18.2 mi | 6.1 |
| Mountainview Elementary School Morgantown | 18.3 mi | 7.2 |
| Cheat Lake Elementary School Morgantown | 19.4 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 26444 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$46,667
Median Home Value
$111,000
Median Rent
$640/mo
Population
3,300
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
85.7%
Avg Commute
44.5 min
Poverty Rate
16%
Median Age
47.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Kermit Pre K8 Kermit, WV | 6.2 |
| ST FRANCIS DE SALES CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morgantown, WV | 6.2 |
| Tennerton Elementary Buckhannon, WV | 6.2 |
| Union Elementary School Buckhannon, WV | 6.2 |
| Altizer Elementary School Huntington, WV | 6.3 |
| Peterstown Elementary School Peterstown, WV | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Preston School
What grades does South Preston School serve?
South Preston School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend South Preston School?
South Preston School has an enrollment of approximately 330 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Preston School?
The student-teacher ratio at South Preston School is 13.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Preston School rank in WV?
South Preston School ranks #347 of 635 schools in WV.
What is South Preston School's MySchoolScout rating?
South Preston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 South Preston School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Preston School has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).
Is South Preston School a charter school?
No, South Preston School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is South Preston School a Title I school?
No, South Preston School is not currently a Title I school.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 330
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Preston County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.0%
- Phone
- (304) 568-2331
Resources & Links
District
PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 3,949
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,793
- District Rank
- #5 of 10
Other Schools in This District
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