Photo: Daniel G Rego · CC BY-SA 4.0Charleston’s public schools score below 59% of West Virginia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Charleston, 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.
Charleston’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 152 West Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Charleston’s, its schools beat 35%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 42% and math 33% in spring 2022, against 41% and 32% statewide; 89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,492 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Ten elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Mountaineer Montessori School (private) and Charleston Montessori Inc. (private) are in town. West Virginia Virtual Academy, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Charleston’s grade
C+: better than 41% of West Virginia school districts, #40 of 61 West Virginia towns. Test scores are above the West Virginia average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Charleston, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
John Adams Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 740 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Horace Mann Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Side Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 374 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
John Adams Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 740 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Horace Mann Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Side Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 374 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
John Adams Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 740 students · 18:1 students per teacher
Horace Mann Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 15:1 students per teacher
West Side Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 374 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
George Washington High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,145 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,051 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
George Washington High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,145 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,051 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
George Washington High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,145 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,051 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Charleston · depends on your address
George Washington High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,145 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Capital High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,051 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Charleston’s public schools are run by Kanawha County School District. 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.
Close to the state in reading
Charleston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share Charleston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston | C+ | Kanawha County |
| South Charleston | C+ | Kanawha County |
| Dunbar | C+ | Kanawha County |
All 2 neighbors share Kanawha County with Charleston, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Charleston
20 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 Charleston’s schools
Are Charleston’s schools good?
On West Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Charleston children attend score below 59% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #40 of 61 West Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 35%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Charleston in?
Kanawha County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 23,085 students in 61 schools (2024–25).
Where do Charleston kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: George Washington High School and Capital High School.
What is Charleston’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Kanawha County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.
How much does Charleston spend per student?
$14,492 in Kanawha County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Charleston?
Yes: Mountaineer Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 180 students) and Charleston Montessori Inc. (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 98 students).
Parents talk
What Charleston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Charleston → 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.