Photo: David G. Simpson · Public domainSouth Charleston’s public schools score below 59% of West Virginia districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving South 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.
South Charleston’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 161 West Virginia towns with household incomes within a quarter of South Charleston’s, its schools beat 34%, 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 ↓
Five elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is South Charleston Middle School, then South Charleston High School. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
WIN Academy at BVCTC, Iawv Elementary School (private) and New Hope Christian School (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.
What’s behind South 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 South Charleston, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 354 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 354 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 354 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in South Charleston
South Charleston High School
Grades 9–12 · 874 students · 19:1 students per teacher
South 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
South Charleston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the West Virginia towns that share South Charleston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| South Charleston | C+ | Kanawha County |
| Charleston | C+ | Kanawha County |
| Dunbar | C+ | Kanawha County |
All 2 neighbors share Kanawha County with South Charleston, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in South Charleston
10 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 South Charleston’s schools
Are South Charleston’s schools good?
On West Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools South 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 34%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is South Charleston in?
Kanawha County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 23,085 students in 61 schools (2024–25).
Where do South Charleston kids go to high school?
South Charleston High School, with 874 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is South 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 South 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 South Charleston?
Yes: Iawv Elementary School (religious, grades PK–6, 63 students) and New Hope Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 18 students). South Charleston also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What South Charleston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near South 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.