Average
#342 of 635 schools in WV
Southside K-8
Elementary School · MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
PO Box 730, War, WV 24892
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
6.1
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia elementary schools
#250 of 407
In district
#4 of 9
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southside K-8
Southside K-8 is a regular public school located in the rural community of War, West Virginia. Serving PK through grade 8, the school has an enrollment of 293 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.7:1 with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at Southside K-8 shows that there is room for growth, with only 27% of students proficient in ELA/Reading and 15% proficient in Math across all grade levels.
The MySchoolScout Rating reflects this challenge, placing the school at a 4.1 out of 10 and ranking it #494 among West Virginia’s 641 schools. Despite these challenges, Southside K-8 focuses on student development within its remote rural setting. The close-knit community fosters a supportive environment where students can thrive with dedicated teachers who know each child well.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southside K-8 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, Southside K-8 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 metricsView breakdown
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Southside K-8 — Students at Southside K-8 score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 5 test records from WV state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 6.5/10.
How Southside K-8 Compares
See how Southside K-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 17% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2021) to 27% (2022).
Location
PO Box 730, War, WV 24892
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside K-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Fall River Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores notably higher. Another option is Iaeger Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Iaeger), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Welch Elementary School (rated 7.1/10, 11.7 miles away, in nearby Welch), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in War, see our War schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 19.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| River View High School Bradshaw | 7.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw | 8.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Fall River Elementary School Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Sandy River Middle School Avondale | 10.1 mi | 3.2 |
| Mount View High School Welch | 10.0 mi | 3.6 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch | 11.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Kimball Elementary School Kimball | 12.6 mi | 4.7 |
| Iaeger Elementary School Iaeger | 13.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Tazewell Intermediate North Tazewell | 14.3 mi | 4.9 |
| Richlands Middle Richlands | 15.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff | 15.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Richlands High Richlands | 15.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Richlands Elementary Richlands | 15.6 mi | 6.5 |
| Tazewell Primary Tazewell | 15.3 mi | 6.6 |
| Tazewell High Tazewell | 15.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob | 13.9 mi | 6.0 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL North Tazwell | 15.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell | 16.0 mi | 6.6 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff | 17.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Baileysville Elementary & Middle School Brenton | 19.7 mi | 5.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 24892 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$21,349
Median Home Value
$37,600
Median Rent
$723/mo
Population
1,636
College Educated
3.6%
Homeownership
41.5%
Poverty Rate
46.4%
Median Age
31.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southside K-8 has a median household income of $21,349. It is a community where 4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $37,600, with a median rent of $723/month. The area has a poverty rate of 46.4%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary Beckley, WV | 6.1 |
| Edgewood Elementary Charleston, WV | 6.0 |
| South Preston School Tunnelton, WV | 6.0 |
| Athens Elementary School Athens, WV | 6.2 |
| Belmont Elementary School Belmont, WV | 6.2 |
| Divide Elementary Lookout, WV | 6.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southside K-8
What grades does Southside K-8 serve?
Southside K-8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Southside K-8?
Southside K-8 has an enrollment of approximately 293 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southside K-8?
The student-teacher ratio at Southside K-8 is 11.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southside K-8 rank in WV?
Southside K-8 is ranked #342 out of 635 schools in WV.
What is Southside K-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside K-8 has a composite rating of 6.1 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 Southside K-8?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southside K-8 has 15.3% math proficiency and 27.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southside K-8 a charter school?
No, Southside K-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southside K-8 a Title I school?
No, Southside K-8 is not currently a Title I school.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 293
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McDowell County
- Phone
- (304) 875-2238
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 2,444
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,682
- District Rank
- #4 of 9
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.
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