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Average

#363 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

6.0

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Tunnelton

#2 of 2

public schools

West Virginia elementary schools

#258 of 407

In district

#5 of 10

PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About South Preston School

South Preston School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural setting of Tunnelton, West Virginia. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, South Preston has an enrollment of 330 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, which ensures that each child receives personalized attention. The dedicated teaching staff consists of 25 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support the academic needs of their students.

According to MySchoolScout’s ranking system, South Preston School is rated at 3.8 out of 10 overall and holds a state rank of #529 out of 641 schools in West Virginia, placing it in the 18th percentile. In terms of academic performance, students score an average of 34% proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 23% proficient or above in Math across all grades. While South Preston School shows areas where improvement is needed, it remains committed to fostering a nurturing environment for its rural community’s children.

The school's setting provides a close-knit atmosphere that supports students as they grow academically and socially within the scenic landscapes of West Virginia.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at South Preston 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, South Preston 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.74 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,280

South Preston School — Students at South Preston School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

0.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 22.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
23%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
33%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
34%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How South Preston School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
43th percentile in WV
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
5.5/10
Above average

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. Fellowsville Elementary (rated 9.2/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Terra Alta/east Preston School (rated 7.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Terra Alta), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Brookhaven Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), 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 9.2
Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg 4.9 mi 3.1
Central Preston Middle School Kingwood 7.3 mi 7.4
Kingwood Elementary Kingwood 7.6 mi 4.4
West Preston School Arthurdale 8.3 mi 5.5
Preston High School Kingwood 7.4 mi 4.9
Kasson Elementary/Middle School Moatsville 12.0 mi 6.6
Aurora School Aurora 12.5 mi 3.7
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 7.8
Anna Jarvis Elementary School Grafton 13.4 mi 2.8
Grafton High School Grafton 14.2 mi 5.2
Brookhaven Elementary School Morgantown 17.4 mi 7.6
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 7.5
Cheat Lake Elementary School Morgantown 19.4 mi 6.1

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding South Preston School has a median household income of $46,667. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,000, with a median rent of $640/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.0%. The average commute in the area is 45 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Edgewood Elementary Charleston, WV 6.0
Spencer Elementary School Spencer, WV 6.0
Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary Beckley, WV 6.1
Overbrook Elementary School Charleston, WV 5.9
Southside K-8 War, WV 6.1
Athens Elementary School Athens, WV 6.2

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 is ranked #363 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is South Preston School's MySchoolScout rating?

South Preston School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 South Preston School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, South Preston School has 22.7% math proficiency and 33.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Low (137/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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