Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) · CC BY-SA 2.5Sophia’s public schools outscore 62% of West Virginia districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Sophia, 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.
Sophia’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 97 West Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of Sophia’s, its schools beat 67%, higher than their 62% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on tests
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 35% in spring 2022, against 41% and 32% statewide; 90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $14,417 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
17 elementary schools, then five middle and four high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Sophia Christian Academy (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.
What’s behind Sophia’s grade
B: better than 62% of West Virginia school districts. 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 Sophia, with each school’s own grade.
Sophia’s public schools are run by Raleigh County School District, which also serves Beckley, Lester and Mabscott. 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.
Above the state in reading
Sophia vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share Sophia’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Sophia | B | Raleigh County |
Every school in Sophia
27 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 Sophia’s schools
Are Sophia’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of West Virginia: the public schools Sophia children attend outscore 62% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Sophia in?
Raleigh County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,350 students in 26 schools (2024–25).
Where do Sophia kids go to high school?
One of 4 high schools, depending on your address: Woodrow Wilson High School, Shady Spring High, Independence High School and Liberty High School.
What is Sophia’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Raleigh County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.
How much does Sophia spend per student?
$14,417 in Raleigh County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Sophia?
Yes: Sophia Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–8, 27 students).
Parents talk
What Sophia families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Sophia → 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.