Photo: Princetonnative · CC BY 4.0Princeton’s public schools score below 79% of West Virginia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Princeton, 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.
Princeton’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 two elementary, one middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Compass 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 Princeton’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 Princeton, with each school’s own grade.
Kindergarten in Princeton
Princeton Primary School
Grades K–2 · 448 students · 12:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Princeton
Princeton Primary School
Grades K–2 · 448 students · 12:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Princeton
Princeton Primary School
Grades K–2 · 448 students · 12:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Princeton · depends on your address
Mercer Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 258 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Straley Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 172 students · 13:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Princeton · depends on your address
Mercer Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 258 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Straley Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 172 students · 13:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Princeton · depends on your address
Mercer Elementary
Grades 3–5 · 258 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Straley Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 172 students · 13:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Princeton
Princeton Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 488 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Princeton
Princeton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 925 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Princeton
Princeton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 925 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Princeton
Princeton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 925 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Princeton
Princeton Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 925 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Princeton’s public schools are run by Mercer County School District, which also serves Athens, Bluefield, Bramwell and Oakvale. 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
Princeton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share Princeton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton | C− | Mercer County |
Every school in Princeton
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).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Mercer County Technical Education Center).
Questions about Princeton’s schools
Are Princeton’s schools good?
On West Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Princeton 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 18%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Princeton in?
Mercer County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 8,310 students in 25 schools (2024–25).
Where do Princeton kids go to high school?
Princeton Senior High School, with 925 students; its own test results earn an A−.
What is Princeton’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 Princeton spend per student?
$14,226 in Mercer County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Princeton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Princeton → 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.