Best Public Schools in Baker, WV

Baker, West Virginia, is served by two schools within the Hardy County Schools district, which together educate 654 students in grades PK-12 on a shared campus. The district itself ranks in the bottom half of West Virginia, but the two schools tell very different stories, making this a community with stark contrasts in educational outcomes.

East Hardy High School is the clear standout, having made a remarkable turnaround. In just one year, it jumped from the bottom fifth of West Virginia high schools to the top third, now holding a 4-star rating. Its graduation rate of 96.1% exceeds both district and state averages, and its 11th graders outperform the state in English Language Arts and Science. This success is supported by higher per-student spending ($12,562) and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. In contrast, East Hardy Elementary School struggles significantly, holding a 0-star rating and ranking in the bottom 10% of elementary schools. Its math proficiency drops dramatically from 42% in 3rd grade to just 18.9% by 6th grade, indicating a serious learning gap in upper elementary grades. The elementary school also receives less funding per student ($10,667) and has a higher student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1.

For parents, the key takeaway is that the high school is effectively preparing its upperclassmen, but the elementary school needs attention. While the high school's overall math proficiency is low at 12.5%, its 11th grade math actually exceeds the district average, suggesting successful interventions in later years. Both schools show relative strength in ELA compared to math, and the high school's science performance is a bright spot. The divergent paths of these two schools on the same campus suggest that improvements have been focused at the secondary level, leaving elementary challenges unresolved. If you have younger children, you may want to investigate the elementary school's math curriculum closely; if you have older students, the high school's upward trajectory is encouraging.