Summary:
Jackson County Schools operates two middle schools serving grades 6-8 in a largely rural West Virginia area, with a combined enrollment of 892 students and a district ranking of #1 out of 54 in the state.
Ravenswood Middle School is the standout performer, ranking #12 out of 161 schools statewide (93rd percentile, 5 stars) for 2025-2026. This represents a remarkable 63-position jump from its previous #75 ranking. Ravenswood outperforms Ripley Middle School in every subject, with math proficiency at 53.8% versus 40.0%, ELA at 57.5% versus 47.6%, and science at 40.2% versus 29.9%. Ravenswood also spends $2,107 more per student ($12,312 vs. $10,205) and maintains a slightly better student-teacher ratio (14.7:1 vs. 15.3:1). Its 8th-grade ELA proficiency of 61.6% is exceptional—17.7 points above the state average. Meanwhile, Ripley Middle School provides consistent, solid performance, ranking #50 (69th percentile, 3 stars) while serving nearly twice the student population (586 vs. 306 students).
Both schools exceed state averages in most categories, reflecting the district's top-ranked status. The district outperforms state averages by 11 points in math, 8.6 points in ELA, and 4.2 points in science. However, notable areas for improvement exist: Ripley's 7th-grade math proficiency (36.7%) lags significantly behind its 8th-grade performance (45.7%), and science scores show volatility at both schools—Ravenswood improved 13.4 points while Ripley dropped 5.7 points year-over-year. Ravenswood's dramatic improvement and higher investment suggest a successful model worth studying, while Ripley's larger enrollment and stable performance offer reliability. For parents, Ravenswood currently offers the strongest academic outcomes, though Ripley remains a solid choice with consistent results and a more comprehensive student body.
Thank you for your feedback!