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Average

#265 of 635 schools in WV

Top 42% in state

Valley Pk-8

Elementary School · FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

1 Greyhound Lane, Smithers, WV 25186

Enrollment

527

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia schools

#265 of 635

In district

#4 of 11

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.2 / 10

Excellent

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Valley Pk-8

6.8/10

Elementary School in Smithers · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Pratt Elementary School

7.5/10

4.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cedar Grove Elementary School

8.2/10

6.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Valley Pk-8

Valley Pk-8 is a public elementary school in Smithers, WV, part of FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS. Valley Pk-8 serves approximately 527 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Valley Pk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #265 of 635 schools in WV.

Structured state assessment records for Valley Pk-8 show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts above district
  • This school 6.8 · Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • WV avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Valley Pk-8 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.

Valley Pk-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.

35% of students at Valley Pk-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 metrics
Student Progress9.2Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data5
Annual Change+6.81 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.3% (2025 WVGSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.8% (2025 WVGSA)
Math vs. State Avg-25 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.5 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 WVGSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 WVGSA)
vs. Expected-11.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,235
Chronic Absenteeism34.5%

Valley Pk-8 — Students at Valley Pk-8 score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 23.0% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
39.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2024-2025)
School
State
45.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 27 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
13%
2021*
Math
13%
2022
Math
18%
2024
Math
21.9%
ELA
28.6%
2025
Math
28.3%
ELA
35.8%

* 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: 9.2/10.

How Valley Pk-8 Compares

See how Valley Pk-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in WV
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
9.2/10
Excellent
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
36 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1 Greyhound Lane, Smithers, WV 25186

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Valley Pk-8 may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Sharon Dawes Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Miami), which scores notably higher. Another option is Belle Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 12.9 miles away, in nearby Belle), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cedar Grove Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.9 miles away, in nearby Cedar Grove), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Smithers, see our Smithers schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.2 mi
School Distance Rating
Pratt Elementary School Pratt 4.7 mi 7.5
Cedar Grove Elementary School Cedar Grove 6.9 mi 8.2
Sharon Dawes Elementary School Miami 7.8 mi 9.0
East Bank Middle School East Bank 8.0 mi 7.8
Lizemore Elementary School Lizemore 12.5 mi 4.5
Riverside High School Belle 11.1 mi 5.2
Midland Trail Elementary School Diamond 11.3 mi 4.3
Chesapeake Elementary School Chesapeake 11.9 mi 3.0
Ansted Elementary Ansted 12.3 mi 4.2
Belle Elementary School Belle 12.9 mi 8.4
Mary Ingles Elementary School Tad 14.5 mi 6.6
Fayetteville Pk-8 Fayetteville 14.3 mi 8.2
Oak Hill High Oak Hill 15.8 mi 4.2
Oak Hill Middle School Oak Hill 16.0 mi 5.3
New River Intermediate Oak Hill 16.1 mi 7.3
New River Primary Oak Hill 16.1 mi 4.1
Clear Fork District Elementary Artie 17.6 mi 2.0
SAINTS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Oak Hill 16.3 mi 5.4
Marmet Elementary School Marmet 14.6 mi 4.2
Du Pont Middle School Belle 15.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 25186 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$33,650

Median Home Value

$73,400

Median Rent

$496/mo

Population

925

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

60.9%

Poverty Rate

34.6%

Median Age

51.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bridgeview Elementary School South Charleston, WV 6.8
Victory Elementary School Clarksburg, WV 6.8
Buckhannon Academy Elementary School Buckhannon, WV 6.9
Conner Street Elementary Hurricane, WV 6.9
Eastwood Elementary School Morgantown, WV 6.9
Mountain Ridge Intermediate Gerrardstown, WV 6.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Valley Pk-8

What grades does Valley Pk-8 serve?

Valley Pk-8 serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Valley Pk-8?

Valley Pk-8 has an enrollment of approximately 527 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Valley Pk-8?

The student-teacher ratio at Valley Pk-8 is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Valley Pk-8 rank in WV?

Valley Pk-8 ranks #265 of 635 schools in WV.

What is Valley Pk-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Pk-8 has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Valley Pk-8?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Valley Pk-8 has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 32% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2024-2025).

Is Valley Pk-8 a charter school?

No, Valley Pk-8 is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Valley Pk-8 a Title I school?

No, Valley Pk-8 is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
26 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
36
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Fayette County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.5%

District

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
5,433
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,235
District Rank
#4 of 11

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