Photo: MarkMcCain · CC BY-SA 4.0Bluefield’s public schools score below 79% of West Virginia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Bluefield, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within West Virginia, not nationally.
From West Virginia state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bluefield’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 39% of tested students were proficient in reading and 30% in math, against 41% and 32% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,226 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Bluefield Intermediate School, then Bluefield Middle School, then Bluefield High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
The Golden Rule Montessori School (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bluefield’s grade
C−: better than 21% of West Virginia school districts, #53 of 61 West Virginia towns. Both inputs trail the West Virginia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bluefield, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Bluefield
Bluefield Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 349 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Bluefield
Bluefield Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 349 students · 13:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 349 students · 13:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Primary School
Grades PK–2 · 349 students · 13:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Intermediate School
Grades 3–5 · 269 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Intermediate School
Grades 3–5 · 269 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Intermediate School
Grades 3–5 · 269 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 428 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield High School
Grades 9–12 · 618 students · 18:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield High School
Grades 9–12 · 618 students · 18:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield High School
Grades 9–12 · 618 students · 18:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bluefield
Bluefield High School
Grades 9–12 · 618 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Bluefield’s public schools are run by Mercer County School District, which also serves Athens, Bramwell, Oakvale and Princeton. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Below the state in reading
Bluefield vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share Bluefield’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bluefield | C− | Mercer County |
Bluefield, VA borders Bluefield but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Bluefield
5 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with West Virginia’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Bluefield’s schools
Are Bluefield’s schools good?
On West Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bluefield children attend score below 79% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C− Schools grade, #53 of 61 West Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bluefield in?
Mercer County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,310 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bluefield kids go to high school?
Bluefield High School, with 618 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Bluefield’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Mercer County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.
How much does Bluefield spend per student?
$14,226 in Mercer County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bluefield?
Yes: The Golden Rule Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–10, 22 students).
Parents talk
What Bluefield families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bluefield → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within West Virginia. Stars are from neighbors.