Summary:
Lincoln County Schools in West Virginia serves five elementary schools—Hamlin Pk-8, West Hamlin Elementary, Harts Pk-8, Duval Pk-8, and Midway Elementary School—serving grades PK-5 or PK-8, with enrollments ranging from 237 to 454 students in a rural, largely low-income area.
If you’re looking at school options, Midway Elementary School is the clear standout. Despite having the smallest enrollment and the lowest per-student spending ($11,171), it posts the highest test scores across nearly every subject and grade. Its state ranking jumped from 228th to 138th in two years, and its 5th grade ELA proficiency (72%) is 21 points above the state average. Harts Pk-8 is the second-strongest option, with consistent 3-star ratings and strong 3rd grade ELA (62.9% proficiency). Hamlin Pk-8 is a mixed bag—it has the largest enrollment and solid middle school math (60%+ in 7th and 8th grade), but its 5th grade science proficiency is just 10.3%. At the bottom, West Hamlin Elementary and Duval Pk-8 both rank in the bottom 2% statewide with 0-star ratings; Duval was dead last in the state in 2023-2024.
The district as a whole trails state averages by 8-10 points in math, ELA, and science. The gap between Midway and Duval is staggering—24 points in math, 24 in ELA, and 36 points in 5th grade science. Science is a district-wide weakness, with several schools scoring below 10% proficiency. Interestingly, spending and class sizes don’t explain outcomes: Duval has the best student-teacher ratio (9.5:1) and above-average spending, yet performs worst. Midway’s success, achieved with the least funding, suggests that instructional quality or school culture—not money—drives results. For parents, Midway and Harts are the safest bets, while Hamlin offers strong middle school math but weak science. The district would benefit from studying Midway’s practices to replicate its success elsewhere.
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