Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Parkersburg

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
Boreman viewPhoto: Mgoudy85 · Public domain
A−
Schools in Parkersburg · Wood County School District

Parkersburg’s public schools outscore 84% of West Virginia districts

In Parkersburg, 41% of tested students are proficient in math, above the West Virginia average (32%). The grade covers the public school district serving Parkersburg, 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.

#11of 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
50%
▲ 9 pts vs WV 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▲ 9 pts vs WV 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▼ 2 pts vs WV 93%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.2K
▼ 3% vs WV $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
13.6
WV 13.5
Schools in town
17
6,405 students on the public path
In brief

Parkersburg’s schools, in brief

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 50% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 41% and 32% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,212 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Eight elementary schools, then three middle and two high schools

Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

North Christian School (private), Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School (private), Parkersburg Wesleyan Academy (private) and Cross Church Academy (private) are 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 Parkersburg’s grade

A+ Test scoresC Graduation

A−: better than 84% of West Virginia school districts, #11 of 61 West Virginia towns. Test scores are above the West Virginia average; graduation is below it.

West Virginia school districts we grade (56)Better than 84%
Lower resultsHigher results
West Virginia towns with similar household incomes (159)Better than 86%
A−AA fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,663 test results and a graduating class of 825 could put Parkersburg anywhere from A− to A. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Parkersburg’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,658 in math, 5,668 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–58 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressC− to A+
6–83 middle schoolsDepends on your addressD to A−
9–122 high schoolsDepends on your addressB to B+

Parkersburg’s public schools are run by Wood County School District, which also serves North Hills, Vienna and Williamstown. 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.

Wood County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 25 schools · 11,098 students, down 6% since 2020–21 · 13.6 per teacher (WV 13.5)
$15,212WV $15,637 · FY2024
A−
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading50%
State average 41.3% · 5668 students tested
Math41%
State average 32.2% · 5658 students tested

Parkersburg vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
ParkersburgA−Wood County
ViennaA−Wood County

Belpre, OH borders Parkersburg but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.

Every school in Parkersburg

17 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 Parkersburgby address
Jefferson Elementary Center
Elementary · Grades PK–5
B−
475 students8:1Rate it →
Emerson Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
361 students12:1Rate it →
Criss Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A+
267 students15:1Rate it →
Madison Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
264 students12:1Rate it →
Franklin Elementary Center
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C
262 students9:1Rate it →
Gihon Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
261 students13:1Rate it →
Martin Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
250 students9:1Rate it →
Fairplains Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
C−
160 students11:1Rate it →
Edison Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
551 students14:1Rate it →
Hamilton Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
B+
446 students14:1Rate it →
Van Devender Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
D
244 students10:1Rate it →
Parkersburg High School
High · Grades 9–12
B
1,491 students17:1Rate it →
Parkersburg South High School
High · Grades 9–12
B+
1,373 students16:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
North Christian School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Religious
136 students10:1Rate it →
Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
Private · Catholic
89 students11:1Rate it →
Parkersburg Wesleyan Academy
Grades PK–12
Private · Religious
19 students6:1Rate it →
Cross Church Academy
Grades K–10
Private · Religious
14 students4:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Wood Co Voc Tech Ctr and Summit Success Center).

Questions about Parkersburg’s schools

Are Parkersburg’s schools good?

By West Virginia’s own tests, yes: the public schools Parkersburg children attend outscore 84% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #11 of 61 West Virginia towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 86%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Parkersburg in?

Wood County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 11,098 students in 25 schools (2024–25).

Where do Parkersburg kids go to high school?

One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Parkersburg High School and Parkersburg South High School.

What is Parkersburg’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Wood County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.

How much does Parkersburg spend per student?

$15,212 in Wood County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Parkersburg?

Yes: North Christian School (religious, grades PK–5, 136 students), Parkersburg Catholic Elementary School (Catholic, grades PK–5, 89 students), Parkersburg Wesleyan Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 19 students) and Cross Church Academy (religious, grades K–10, 14 students).

Parents talk

What Parkersburg families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Parkersburg → 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.