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Fairmont, West Virginia (2023)Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0
A
Schools in Fairmont · Marion County School District

Fairmont’s public schools outscore 86% of West Virginia districts

On the state math tests, 37% of Fairmont’s students scored proficient, above the West Virginia average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Fairmont, 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.

#9of 61 West Virginia townsK–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
45%
▲ 4 pts vs WV 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
37%
▲ 5 pts vs WV 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 3 pts vs WV 93%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$14.9K
▼ 5% vs WV $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.3
WV 13.5 · larger classes
Schools in town
6
2,778 students on the public path
In brief

Fairmont’s schools, in brief

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 45% and math 37% in spring 2022, against 41% and 32% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $14,893 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then two middle and one high school

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

Choice beyond the district

Fairmont Catholic Grade 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fairmont’s grade

A− Test scoresB Graduation

A: better than 86% of West Virginia school districts, #9 of 61 West Virginia towns. 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 86%
Lower resultsHigher results
West Virginia towns with similar household incomes (167)Better than 83%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 3,762 test results and a graduating class of 544 could put Fairmont anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Fairmont’s students in the tested grades sat them (3,766 in math, 3,759 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–42 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to C
5–82 middle schoolsDepends on your addressB− to B
9–12Fairmont Senior High SchoolMarion County School DistrictB+

Fairmont’s public schools are run by Marion County School District, which also serves Barrackville, Fairview, Farmington and Grant Town 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.

Marion County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 19 schools · 7,112 students, down 7% since 2020–21 · 14.3 per teacher (WV 13.5)
$14,893WV $15,637 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Above the state in reading

Reading45%
State average 41.3% · 3759 students tested
Math37%
State average 32.2% · 3766 students tested

Fairmont vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
FairmontAMarion County
Pleasant ValleyAMarion County
White Hall—Marion County

All 2 neighbors share Marion County with Fairmont, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Fairmont

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 Fairmontby address
Watson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
383 students15:1Rate it →
East Park Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
C
321 students12:1Rate it →
East Fairmont Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B
647 students14:1Rate it →
West Fairmont Middle School
Middle · Grades 5–8
B−
592 students13:1Rate it →
Fairmont Senior High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
835 students20:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
Fairmont Catholic Grade School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
149 students10:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Barnes Learning Center (ALC)).

Questions about Fairmont’s schools

Are Fairmont’s schools good?

By West Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Fairmont children attend outscore 86% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #9 of 61 West Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 83%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fairmont in?

Marion County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 7,112 students in 19 schools (2024–25).

Where do Fairmont kids go to high school?

Fairmont Senior High School, with 835 students; its own test results earn a B+.

What is Fairmont’s graduation rate?

96% of the class of 2023 in Marion County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.

How much does Fairmont spend per student?

$14,893 in Marion County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Fairmont?

Yes: Fairmont Catholic Grade School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 149 students).

Parents talk

What Fairmont families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fairmont → 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.