Needs Improvement
#633 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
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
293
Student-Teacher
11.7:1
Score
2.7
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
West Virginia schools
#633 of 635
In district
#9 of 9
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS
Shortlisting around Southside K-8?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Southside K-8
Elementary School in War · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
River View High School
7.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bradshaw Elementary School
8.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southside K-8
Southside K-8 is a public elementary school in War, WV, part of MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS. Southside K-8 serves approximately 293 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 11.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Southside K-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 and ranks #633 of 635 schools in WV.
Structured state assessment records for Southside K-8 show 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 2.7 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.1
- WV avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
Southside K-8 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.
66% of students at Southside K-8 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
Southside K-8 — Students at Southside K-8 score 21% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).
Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)
Based on 49 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: 2.4/10.
How Southside K-8 Compares
See how Southside K-8 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
PO Box 730, War, WV 24892
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southside K-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Richlands Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Richlands), which scores notably higher. Another option is Fall River Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 10.7 miles away, in nearby Big Sandy), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tazewell Primary (rated 8.1/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Tazewell), which scores notably 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 | 3.9 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw | 8.0 mi | 3.1 |
| Fall River Elementary School Big Sandy | 10.7 mi | 8.1 |
| Sandy River Middle School Avondale | 10.1 mi | 4.3 |
| Mount View High School Welch | 10.0 mi | 3.2 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch | 11.7 mi | 3.1 |
| Kimball Elementary School Kimball | 12.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Iaeger Elementary School Iaeger | 13.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Tazewell Intermediate North Tazewell | 14.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Richlands Middle Richlands | 15.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Cedar Bluff Elementary Cedar Bluff | 15.8 mi | 7.2 |
| Richlands High Richlands | 15.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Richlands Elementary Richlands | 15.6 mi | 8.2 |
| Tazewell Primary Tazewell | 15.3 mi | 8.1 |
| Tazewell High Tazewell | 15.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Twin Valley High Pilgrim Knob | 13.9 mi | 5.9 |
| MAIN STREET SCHOOL North Tazwell | 15.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Tazewell Middle Tazewell | 16.0 mi | 7.6 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Cedar Bluff | 17.7 mi | 4.9 |
| Baileysville Elementary & Middle School Brenton | 19.7 mi | 6.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Berlin Mckinney Elementary School Oceana, WV | 3.1 |
| Bradshaw Elementary School Bradshaw, WV | 3.1 |
| Gauley River Elementary School Craigsville, WV | 3.1 |
| Welch Elementary School Welch, WV | 3.1 |
| Beverly Elementary School Beverly, WV | 3.4 |
| Montcalm Elementary School Rock, WV | 3.5 |
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 ranks #633 of 635 schools in WV.
What is Southside K-8's MySchoolScout rating?
Southside K-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 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 Southside K-8?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southside K-8 has 15% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 65.9%
- Phone
- (304) 875-2238
Resources & Links
District
MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 2,444
- Schools in District
- 10
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,682
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.