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Average

#329 of 635 schools in WV

Valley Pk-8

Elementary School · FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

1 Greyhound Lane, Smithers, WV 25186

Enrollment

527

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia elementary schools

#244 of 407

In district

#5 of 11

FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Valley Pk-8

Valley Pk-8 is an elementary school nestled in the rural setting of Smithers, West Virginia. Serving a diverse range of students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, Valley Pk-8 has an enrollment of 527 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 with 36 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.1 out of 10, placing it in the 24th percentile among West Virginia schools.

Academically, Valley Pk-8 focuses on student development and has room for improvement, particularly in math where only 16% of students are proficient or above. Despite these challenges, Valley Pk-8 is committed to nurturing a supportive learning environment within its rural community, fostering the growth of its students as they navigate their educational journey. The school's setting in Smithers offers a close-knit community feel, with teachers and staff dedicated to helping each student reach their full potential.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Valley Pk-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, Valley Pk-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 metrics
Student Progress9.3Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+5 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics1.7Significantly Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-19.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,777

Valley Pk-8 — Students at Valley Pk-8 score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

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 15.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A

Based on 2 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2021*
Math
13%
2022
Math
18%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Valley Pk-8 Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
48th percentile in WV
Academic
1.7/10
1.7/10
Growth
9.3/10
Above average
Environment
5.1/10
Above average

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. Midland Trail Elementary School (rated 8.5/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Diamond), which scores notably higher. Another option is Chesapeake Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Chesapeake), which scores notably higher. Additionally, New River Intermediate (rated 8.3/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Oak Hill), 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 5.0
Cedar Grove Elementary School Cedar Grove 6.9 mi 8.2
Sharon Dawes Elementary School Miami 7.8 mi 3.3
East Bank Middle School East Bank 8.0 mi 4.0
Lizemore Elementary School Lizemore 12.5 mi 3.7
Riverside High School Belle 11.1 mi 5.2
Midland Trail Elementary School Diamond 11.3 mi 8.5
Chesapeake Elementary School Chesapeake 11.9 mi 8.4
Ansted Elementary Ansted 12.3 mi 8.1
Belle Elementary School Belle 12.9 mi 5.2
Mary Ingles Elementary School Tad 14.5 mi 5.8
Fayetteville Pk-8 Fayetteville 14.3 mi 7.0
Oak Hill High Oak Hill 15.8 mi 3.8
Oak Hill Middle School Oak Hill 16.0 mi 5.5
New River Intermediate Oak Hill 16.1 mi 8.3
New River Primary Oak Hill 16.1 mi 5.0
Clear Fork District Elementary Artie 17.6 mi 7.4
SAINTS PETER & PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Oak Hill 16.3 mi 5.4
Marmet Elementary School Marmet 14.6 mi 7.4
Du Pont Middle School Belle 15.2 mi 5.5

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Valley Pk-8 has a median household income of $33,650. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $73,400, with a median rent of $496/month. The area has a poverty rate of 34.6%, 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
White Sulphur Elementary White Sulphur Springs, WV 6.2
East Dale Elementary School Fairmont, WV 6.3
Peterson-Central Elementary School Weston, WV 6.3
Princeton Primary School Princeton, WV 6.3
Watson Elementary School Fairmont, WV 6.3
Winfield Elementary Winfield, WV 6.3

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 is ranked #329 out of 635 schools in WV.

What is Valley Pk-8's MySchoolScout rating?

Valley Pk-8 has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Valley Pk-8?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Valley Pk-8 has 15.5% math proficiency.

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

County Safety
Average (568/100K)

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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