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Princeton Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

136^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 161 West Virginia Middle Schools

Better than 16% of West Virginia middle schools

Summary

Princeton Middle School in Princeton, WV, serves 488 students in grades 6 through 8 and is part of the Mercer County Schools district. The school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.6, meaning class sizes are relatively small, and it spends more per student ($12,746) than its immediate peers in the district.

However, the most notable finding is a sharp decline in academic performance during the 2025-2026 school year. The school's overall state ranking dropped from the 33rd percentile to the 16th percentile, a significant fall after several years of relative stability. Proficiency rates in both Mathematics (24.1%) and English Language Arts (34.5%) are now below district and state averages. The most concerning area is 8th-grade math, where only 16% of students are proficient—less than half the state average of 34.2%. This decline is broad-based, affecting nearly all student subgroups, including those from low-income backgrounds and various racial groups, indicating a systemic challenge rather than an isolated issue.

There is a bright spot in 7th grade, where students outperformed district averages in both math and ELA, showing the school is capable of success. The most compelling comparison is with Pikeview Middle School, located just 4.6 miles away in the same district. Pikeview ranks significantly higher (53rd percentile vs. 16th) and achieves much better results in both math (33.3% vs. 24.1%) and ELA (44.7% vs. 34.5%), despite spending less per student and having larger class sizes. This suggests that resources alone don't explain the gap—school-specific practices and climate likely play a major role. While Princeton outperforms Bluefield Middle School, another in-district peer, the gap with Pikeview highlights a clear opportunity for improvement. Parents may want to ask school leadership about the strategies behind the 7th-grade success and what can be learned from Pikeview's approach.

488

Students ?

11.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,870

Per pupil spending ?

71.5%

Directly certified for free meals (2024-25) ?

300 N Johnston St
Princeton, WV 24740-2650

(304) 425-7517

District: Mercer County Schools

Students who attend Princeton Middle School usually attend:

High:

Princeton Senior High School

Feeder schools for Princeton Middle School:

Elementary:	Mercer Elementary
	Princeton Primary School
	Straley Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

76.8%

Two or more races:

12.9%

African American:

7.4%

See top rated West Virginia middle schools

Compare Princeton Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 40th percentile in 2016 → 16th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 12 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the West Virginia average (28% vs 44% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (16th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 24 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school28%

District avg39%

West Virginia avg44%

136^th of 161

West Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 16%▼ down 25 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to bottom 16% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Middle Schools in the Mercer County Schools

31^st of 55Mercer County Schools among West Virginia districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	23.6	136 of 161	15.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	37.1	112 of 168	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	35.6	113 of 169	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.1	113 of 168	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	40.6	103 of 169	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.2	122 of 171	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	43.0	93 of 171	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.3	110 of 170	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	56.9	71 of 176	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	41.2	103 of 172	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2015	34.1	120 of 173	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	35.6	118 of 172	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	38.2	119 of 174	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	56.3	60 of 172	65.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	45.1	100 of 171	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.9	58 of 171	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	57.6	71 of 171	58.5%	★★★☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	32.4	19 of 22	13.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	31.5	21 of 25	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	43.0	12 of 24	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	17.6	27 of 28	3.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	15.1	23 of 23	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	59.4	11 of 27	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.3	16 of 36	55.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	48.6	50 of 124	59.7%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	44.6	45 of 56	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2022	63.0	25 of 131	80.9%	★★★★☆
2021	48.3	62 of 129	51.9%	★★★☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	38.2	36 of 67	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	23.2	128 of 155	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.5	97 of 158	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	31.7	115 of 158	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.3	114 of 158	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	48.5	84 of 164	48.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	35.6	116 of 162	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	44.4	90 of 162	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.0	97 of 166	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2017	58.1	61 of 174	64.9%	★★★☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	50.3	37 of 97	61.9%	★★★☆☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	23.3	25 of 27	7.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	25.4	29 of 31	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	31.4	21 of 28	25.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.2	11 of 24	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	91.2	1 of 15	93.3%	★★★★★

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	25.3	133 of 157	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	58.8	47 of 165	71.5%	★★★★☆
2024	35.2	114 of 164	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.0	85 of 162	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	46.0	85 of 162	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	30.0	135 of 164	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	37.0	112 of 165	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	66.3	38 of 176	78.4%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	28.3	126 of 156	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.7	108 of 160	32.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.2	99 of 165	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	41.0	94 of 158	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.5	104 of 161	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.9	117 of 164	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	38.7	106 of 161	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.5	115 of 164	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	50.6	78 of 176	55.7%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	25.2	28 of 31	9.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	22.8	28 of 31	9.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	31.7	22 of 29	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.2	19 of 28	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	63.4	5 of 27	81.5%	★★★★☆
2021	22.1	18 of 20	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	33.8	14 of 20	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	26.7	28 of 34	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	40.8	74 of 107	30.8%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	38.4	86 of 125	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	60.3	31 of 127	75.6%	★★★★☆
2024	41.9	76 of 128	40.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	46.1	63 of 132	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	34.3	88 of 130	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	45.8	70 of 142	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	35.1	134 of 174	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	26.1	133 of 161	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.6	98 of 168	41.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.0	108 of 169	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.4	100 of 168	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.0	96 of 168	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	37.5	105 of 170	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.6	96 of 168	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	40.0	107 of 167	35.9%	★★☆☆☆
2017	58.7	62 of 176	64.8%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Disabled (2022)81st percentile+42 vs school

Hispanic (2017)62nd percentile~ school

English Language Learner (2017)46th percentile-13 vs school

Special Education (2026)31st percentile+16 vs school

Asian (2017)20th percentile-40 vs school

Male (2026)19th percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)17th percentile~ school

White (2026)17th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)15th percentile~ school

African American (2026)14th percentile~ school

Multi-racial (2026)10th percentile-6 vs school

Homeless (2026)7th percentile-8 vs school

By subject vs West Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts34%-13 vs state

Mathematics24%-15 vs state

Science21%-8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Princeton Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				WV Assessment Mathematics (2026)					WV Assessment English Language Arts (2026)					WV Assessment Science (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Directly certified (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WV Assessment Mathematics 5th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 6th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics All Grades	WV Assessment English Language Arts 5th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 6th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts All Grades	WV Assessment Science 5th Grade	WV Assessment Science 8th Grade	WV Assessment Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Princeton Middle School	Public	6-8	300 N Johnston St	Princeton	24740	Mercer County	Mercer County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 425-7517	488	42	11.6	71.5%	375 (76.8%)	36 (7.4%)	8 (1.6%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (12.9%)	23.6	136^th of 161 public middle schools	15.5%		37.1	112^th of 168 public middle schools	33.3%	24		24.6	30.4	16.0	24.1		30.4	39.9	31.8	34.5		21.2		$10,870	$1,077	$9,793
Pikeview Middle School	Public	6-8	3550 Eads Mill Rd	Princeton	24739	Mercer County	Mercer County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 384-3600	502	33	15.0	57.6%	464 (92.4%)	5 (1.0%)	11 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.2%)	48.1	76^th of 161 public middle schools	52.8%		60.9	48^th of 168 public middle schools	71.4%	28		28.3	29.7	42.5	33.3		41.6	42.6	50.4	44.7		27.4		$10,117	$1,186	$8,930
Bluefield Middle School	Public	6-8	2002 Stadium Dr	Bluefield	24701	Mercer County	Mercer County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 325-2481	428	31	13.6	77.8%	253 (59.1%)	116 (27.1%)	8 (1.9%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (10.7%)	17.1	146^th of 161 public middle schools	9.3%		28.3	130^th of 168 public middle schools	22.6%	16		19.9	21.3	15.9	19.3		31.0	28.2	32.7	30.5		23.9		$10,791	$1,701	$9,090
Peterstown Middle School	Public	5-8	5414 Ballard Red Sulphur Parkway	Peterstown	24963	Monroe County	Monroe County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 753-4322	275	20	14.1	56.7%	265 (96.4%)	3 (1.1%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	27.4	128^th of 161 public middle schools	20.5%		46.7	88^th of 168 public middle schools	47.6%	40	20.9	24.1	30.0	25.9	25.2	37.3	29.3	33.3	44.4	36.8	14.9	18.5	16.9	$10,651	$534	$10,117

Frequently Asked Questions about Princeton Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Princeton Middle School?

Students at Princeton Middle School are 77% White, 13% Two or more races, 7% African American, 2% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

Is Princeton Middle School a good school?

Princeton Middle School ranks in the bottom 15.5% of West Virginia middle schools.

How many students attend Princeton Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 488 students attended Princeton Middle School.

What district is Princeton Middle School in?

Mercer County Schools

What high school do graduates of Princeton Middle School attend?

Students who attend Princeton Middle School usually go on to attend Princeton Senior High School

Rate Princeton Middle School!

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Latest West Virginia data All new data »

2019–20 through 2024–25 school spending dataAug 24, 2026

2025–26 WV Assessment scoresAug 12, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 9, 2026

2024–25 WV Assessment scoresAug 13, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the West Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.