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Needs Improvement

#608 of 635 schools in WV

West Preston School

Elementary School · PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

PO Box 700, Arthurdale, WV 26520

Enrollment

628

Student-Teacher

14.3:1

Score

3.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

West Virginia schools

#608 of 635

In district

#8 of 10

PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

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West Preston School

3.4/10

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

South Preston School

6.2/10

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

Chestnut Mountain Ranch

Nearby

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

About West Preston School

West Preston School is a public elementary school in Arthurdale, WV, part of PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS. West Preston School serves approximately 628 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio. West Preston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks #608 of 635 schools in WV.

Structured state assessment records for West Preston School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares2.7 pts below district
  • This school 3.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 6.1
  • WV avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

West Preston School 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.

37% of students at West Preston School 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 Progress3.1Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data9
Annual Change-3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28.6% (2025 WVGSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency34.9% (2025 WVGSA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-11.4 pts
Overall Proficiency32% (2025 WVGSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)46% (model expectation from 2025 WVGSA)
vs. Expected-14.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,793
Chronic Absenteeism36.6%

West Preston School — Students at West Preston School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Test Scores WV WVGSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 27.9% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
39.9% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)
ELA Proficiency 33.4% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
45.4% (multi-year state average, 2024-2025)

Based on 36 test records from WV state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2016
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
24%
2019
Math
24%
2020*
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2021*
Math
16%
ELA
24%
2022
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2024
Math
34.4%
ELA
35.8%
2025
Math
28.6%
ELA
34.9%

* 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: 3.1/10.

How West Preston School Compares

See how West Preston School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
4th percentile in WV
Academic
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.1/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

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

PO Box 700, Arthurdale, WV 26520

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Preston School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cheat Lake Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.2 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), which scores notably higher. Another option is MORGANTOWN LEARNING ACADEMY (rated 7.5/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Ridgedale Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Morgantown), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Arthurdale, see our Arthurdale schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 11.7 mi
School Distance Rating
South Preston School Tunnelton 8.3 mi 6.2
CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN RANCH Morgantown 7.6 mi
Kingwood Elementary Kingwood 6.9 mi 5.9
Central Preston Middle School Kingwood 7.3 mi 5.7
Preston High School Kingwood 7.6 mi 3.3
Ridgedale Elementary School Morgantown 7.8 mi 7.3
Brookhaven Elementary School Morgantown 9.3 mi 7.1
ST FRANCIS DE SALES CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Morgantown 9.4 mi 6.2
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown 10.3 mi 5.9
Cheat Lake Elementary School Morgantown 11.2 mi 7.8
COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Morgantown 10.2 mi 7.2
Fellowsville Elementary Tunnelton 11.5 mi 6.7
MORGANTOWN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Morgantown 10.3 mi 6.1
Mountainview Elementary School Morgantown 10.6 mi 7.2
AMPLIFY CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Morgantown 12.0 mi 5.4
MORGANTOWN LEARNING ACADEMY Morgantown 11.8 mi 7.5
South Middle School Morgantown 11.1 mi 9.0
Rowlesburg School Rowlesburg 11.8 mi 3.3
Eastwood Elementary School Morgantown 12.1 mi 6.9
Morgantown High School Morgantown 11.7 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 26520 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Home Value

$201,300

Population

360

College Educated

26.8%

Homeownership

100%

Poverty Rate

2.5%

Median Age

59.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Fort Gay Pre K-8 Fort Gay, WV 3.4
T A Lowery Elementary School Shenandoah Junction, WV 3.3
Berkeley Heights Elementary School Martinsburg, WV 3.7
Keyser Primary School Keyser, WV 3.9
Valley View Elementary School Martinsburg, WV 3.9
Peterson-Central Elementary School Weston, WV 4.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Preston School

What grades does West Preston School serve?

West Preston School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend West Preston School?

West Preston School has an enrollment of approximately 628 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Preston School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Preston School is 14.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Preston School rank in WV?

West Preston School ranks #608 of 635 schools in WV.

What is West Preston School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Preston School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 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 West Preston School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Preston School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 33% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

Is West Preston School a charter school?

No, West Preston School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Preston School a Title I school?

No, West Preston School is not currently a Title I school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
628
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Preston County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.6%

District

PRESTON COUNTY SCHOOLS
District Enrollment
3,949
Schools in District
10
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,793
District Rank
#8 of 10

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