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
Enrollment
527
Student-Teacher
14.6:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Valley Pk-8 — Students at Valley Pk-8 score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
0.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores WV EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 2 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: 9.3/10.
How Valley Pk-8 Compares
See how Valley Pk-8 performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 13% (2021) to 18% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (304) 442-8284
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FAYETTE COUNTY SCHOOLS- District Enrollment
- 5,433
- Schools in District
- 12
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,235
- District Rank
- #5 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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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