Summary:
Midland Trail High is the only public school serving Hico, West Virginia, a small community in the Fayette County area, and it uniquely houses grades 6 through 12 as a combined middle and high school with 618 students.
For parents, the most encouraging news is that Midland Trail High is on a clear upward trajectory. The school jumped from the 25th percentile (1 star) in 2024-2025 to the 50th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026, a dramatic 31-position climb in state rankings. It also boasts a strong 95.6% graduation rate, which beats both the Fayette County Schools district average (92.1%) and the state average (92.8%). Academically, English Language Arts is a relative bright spot—46.9% of students are proficient, which is above the district’s 42.9% and nearly matches the state’s 47.6%. The 7th grade stands out as exceptional, with 54.3% proficiency in ELA and 37.1% in math, both well above district and state averages for that grade.
However, math and science remain significant challenges. Overall math proficiency is just 24.1% (state: 39.4%), and science is the weakest subject at 19.3% (state: 29.3%). The gaps are widest in 6th grade math (18.3% vs. 35.4% state) but narrow considerably by 11th grade, suggesting effective remediation for students who stay. While the school outperforms its district in ELA, it lags in math and science, indicating a need for stronger STEM support. The high graduation rate despite lower test scores suggests a supportive, student-focused culture, but parents should be aware that targeted help in math and science may be necessary to ensure college and career readiness.
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