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Terra Alta BankPhoto: Generic1139 · CC BY-SA 3.0
D
Schools in Terra Alta · Preston County School District

Terra Alta’s public schools score below 89% of West Virginia districts on tests and graduation

The grade covers the public school district serving Terra Alta, 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.

K–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
37%
▼ 4 pts vs WV 41%
2021–22
Math proficiency
29%
▼ 3 pts vs WV 32%
2021–22
Graduate on time
87%
▼ 6 pts vs WV 93%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.8K
▼ 12% vs WV $15.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
14.0
WV 13.5
Schools in town
1
1,339 students on the public path
In brief

Terra Alta’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 37% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 41% and 32% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,769 per student, against $15,637 across West Virginia (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one high school

From grade 9 the district’s path is Preston High School. Enrollment is down 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

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 Terra Alta’s grade

B− Test scoresD Graduation

D: better than 11% of West Virginia school districts. Both inputs trail the West Virginia average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.

West Virginia school districts we grade (56)Better than 11%
Lower resultsHigher results
West Virginia towns with similar household incomes (164)Better than 8%
DC+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 2,064 test results and a graduating class of 275 could put Terra Alta anywhere from D to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Terra Alta’s students in the tested grades sat them (2,064 in math, 2,064 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

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

The path, start to finish
PK–8Terra Alta/East Preston SchoolPreston County School DistrictC−
9–12Preston High Schoolin KingwoodD

Terra Alta’s public schools are run by Preston County School District, which also serves Albright, Brandonville, Bruceton Mills and Kingwood 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.

Preston County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 10 schools · 3,765 students, down 11% since 2020–21 · 14.0 per teacher (WV 13.5)
$13,769WV $15,637 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Below the state in reading

Reading37%
State average 41.3% · 2064 students tested
Math29%
State average 32.2% · 2064 students tested

Terra Alta vs. its neighbors

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

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Terra AltaDPreston County

Every school in Terra Alta

2 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 Terra Altaby address
Terra Alta/East Preston School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
C−
283 students13:1Rate it →
Also serving Terra Altain other towns
Preston High School
High · Grades 9–12 · Kingwood
D
1,056 students15:1Rate it →

Questions about Terra Alta’s schools

Are Terra Alta’s schools good?

On West Virginia’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Terra Alta children attend score below 89% of West Virginia’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 8%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Terra Alta in?

Preston County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 3,765 students in 10 schools (2024–25).

Where do Terra Alta kids go to high school?

Preston High School in Kingwood, with 1,056 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Terra Alta’s graduation rate?

87% of the class of 2023 in Preston County School District graduated in four years, against 93% across West Virginia.

How much does Terra Alta spend per student?

$13,769 in Preston County School District (FY2024), against $15,637 across West Virginia. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Terra Alta families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Terra Alta → 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.