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Gen. John McCausland House (Boundary Increase)Gen. John McCausland House (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Roger B. Wise · CC BY-SA 3.0
A+
Schools in Buffalo · Putnam County School District

Buffalo’s public schools outscore 98% of West Virginia districts

Math proficiency in Buffalo’s districts is 48%, above the West Virginia average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Buffalo, 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.

K–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
53%
▲ 12 pts vs WV 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
48%
▲ 16 pts vs WV 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
98%
▲ 5 pts vs WV 93%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 4% vs WV $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.2
WV 13.5
Schools in town
2
2,518 students on the public path
In brief

Buffalo’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 53% and math 48% in spring 2022, against 41% and 32% statewide; 98% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,937 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then four middle and one high school

Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is down 7% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Buffalo’s grade

A+ Test scoresA Graduation

A+: better than 98% of West Virginia school districts. Test scores and graduation are both above the West Virginia average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

West Virginia school districts we grade (56)Better than 98%
Lower resultsHigher results
West Virginia towns with similar household incomes (158)Better than 97%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 4,546 test results and a graduating class of 730 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Buffalo’s students in the tested grades sat them (4,547 in math, 4,546 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Buffalo, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–5Buffalo Elementary SchoolPutnam County School DistrictB−
6–84 middle schoolsDepends on your addressC+ to A
9–12Buffalo High SchoolPutnam County School DistrictA−

Buffalo’s public schools are run by Putnam County School District, which also serves Bancroft, Eleanor, Hurricane and Poca and others. 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.

Putnam County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 23 schools · 8,518 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 13.2 per teacher (WV 13.5)
$14,937WV $15,637 · FY2024
A+
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading53%
State average 41.3% · 4546 students tested
Math48%
State average 32.2% · 4547 students tested

Buffalo vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share Buffalo’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
BuffaloA+Putnam County

Every school in Buffalo

6 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).

District schools in Buffaloby address
Buffalo Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
195 students12:1Rate it →
Buffalo High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
382 students16:1Rate it →
Also serving Buffaloin other towns
Hurricane Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Hurricane
A
821 students13:1Rate it →
Winfield Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Winfield
A
552 students13:1Rate it →
George Washington Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Eleanor
C+
291 students12:1Rate it →
Poca Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8 · Poca
B−
277 students13:1Rate it →

Questions about Buffalo’s schools

Are Buffalo’s schools good?

By West Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Buffalo children attend outscore 98% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A+ Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 97%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Buffalo in?

Putnam County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,518 students in 23 schools (2024–25).

Where do Buffalo kids go to high school?

Buffalo High School, with 382 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Buffalo’s graduation rate?

98% of the class of 2023 in Putnam County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.

How much does Buffalo spend per student?

$14,937 in Putnam County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Buffalo families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Buffalo → 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.