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Nicholas County High School

Q: Is Nicholas County High School a good school?

Nicholas County High School ranks 45 th of 107 West Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

45^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 107 West Virginia High Schools

Better than 58% of West Virginia high schools

Summary

Nicholas County High School in Summersville, WV, is a public high school serving 708 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Nicholas County Schools district. The school has shown impressive momentum recently, climbing 28 spots in statewide rankings over the past two years to reach the 55th percentile, and it stands out most for its exceptional graduation rate of 97.7%—well above the state average of 92.8% and higher than nearby Richwood High School (91.8%). This isn't a fluke; the school has maintained graduation rates above 93% for five straight years, suggesting strong support systems that keep students on track.

What truly sets Nicholas County High apart is its remarkable success with students who often face the biggest challenges. The school ranks 1st in the state for supporting homeless students (95th percentile, 5 stars) and 32nd out of 104 schools for students from low-income backgrounds (69th percentile, 4 stars)—a significant improvement from just two years ago. This indicates effective wraparound services and a commitment to educational equity. In English Language Arts, 53% of 11th graders scored proficient, edging out the state average of 51.2%. The school also spends less per student ($11,188) than all nearby schools, including Webster County High School ($11,627) and Midland Trail High ($12,373), while achieving comparable or better outcomes—a sign of efficient resource use.

The primary area for growth is STEM. Only 17.4% of 11th graders scored proficient in math and 19.7% in science, both below state averages (20.6% and 23.6% respectively). This challenge appears systemic to the district rather than unique to this school, as math scores consistently exceed the district average. Parents should also note some inconsistency in special education services, which have fluctuated between 1-star and 4-star rankings over recent years. Overall, Nicholas County High School offers a supportive environment with exceptional graduation outcomes and standout programs for vulnerable students, though families should be aware that math and science proficiency will likely require additional attention and support at home.

708

Students ?

17.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,994

Per pupil spending ?

44.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

30 Grizzley Ln
Summersville, WV 26651-9736

(304) 872-2141

District: Nicholas County Schools

Feeder schools for Nicholas County High School:

Elementary:	Birch River Elementary School
	Glade Creek Elementary School
	Mt. Lookout Elementary School
	Mt. Nebo Elementary School
	More...
	Panther Creek Elementary School
	Summersville Elementary School
	Zela Elementary School
Middle:	Summersville Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

97.2%

Hispanic:

1.6%

Two or more races:

0.6%

See top rated West Virginia high schools

Compare Nicholas County High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 60th percentile in 2016 → 58th in 2026

Strengths

✓98% graduate in 4 years — above the West Virginia average (93%)

✓Above the West Virginia median (58th percentile)

Worth a look

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school30%

District avg30%

West Virginia avg32%

45^th of 107

West Virginia public high schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 2High Schools in the Nicholas County Schools

24^th of 55Nicholas 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	51.0	45 of 107	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	49.8	58 of 111	47.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.1	65 of 112	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.6	75 of 112	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.6	38 of 112	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	36.6	69 of 113	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	39.9	67 of 114	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.8	70 of 115	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	59.6	45 of 122	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	52.1	48 of 119	59.7%	★★★☆☆
2015	55.5	51 of 117	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2014	69.4	22 of 115	80.9%	★★★★☆
2013	43.2	65 of 114	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	47.6	57 of 113	49.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	49.9	55 of 113	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2010	45.0	67 of 112	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2009	50.9	59 of 111	46.8%	★★☆☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	54.9	23 of 47	51.1%	★★★☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2022	47.3	49 of 91	46.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.6	59 of 84	29.8%	★★☆☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	46.7	53 of 106	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.4	63 of 107	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	19.1	96 of 110	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.8	72 of 108	33.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	42.2	64 of 108	40.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	46.3	59 of 110	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	61.2	41 of 109	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.0	37 of 111	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.4	29 of 119	75.6%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	94.8	1 of 19	94.7%	★★★★★
2024	63.2	5 of 15	66.7%	★★★★☆
2023	54.8	5 of 13	61.5%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	60.7	33 of 106	68.9%	★★★★☆
2025	65.4	34 of 109	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	50.5	57 of 110	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	58.6	39 of 107	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	57.6	41 of 109	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	54.1	49 of 111	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.9	63 of 112	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	73.1	21 of 121	82.6%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	54.2	42 of 106	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	52.6	49 of 106	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	59.5	39 of 109	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	38.5	65 of 108	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	69.6	28 of 108	74.1%	★★★★☆
2021	29.5	79 of 110	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	29.4	79 of 109	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	23.8	86 of 111	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	47.5	65 of 122	46.7%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	45.3	42 of 83	49.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	30.0	70 of 92	23.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	59.0	27 of 89	69.7%	★★★★☆
2023	17.4	77 of 89	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	45.5	42 of 85	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	22.3	80 of 103	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	47.9	53 of 118	55.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2026	45.2	55 of 107	48.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	46.4	60 of 111	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.9	67 of 111	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	32.9	75 of 112	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	56.3	44 of 111	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	32.2	74 of 113	34.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	35.7	73 of 112	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.0	68 of 113	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	57.1	48 of 122	60.7%	★★★☆☆

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)

Homeless (2025)95th percentile+47 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)69th percentile+11 vs school

Male (2026)60th percentile~ school

Asian (2017)51st percentile-12 vs school

Female (2026)50th percentile-8 vs school

Special Education (2026)49th percentile-9 vs school

White (2026)49th percentile-9 vs school

Disabled (2022)46th percentile-20 vs school

By subject vs West Virginia (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts53%~ state avg

Science20%-4 vs state

Mathematics17%-3 vs state

★

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Schools Near Nicholas County High 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	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2021)	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 6th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics All Grades	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 11th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts All Grades	WV Assessment Science 8th Grade	WV Assessment Science 11th Grade	WV Assessment Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Nicholas County High School	Public	9-12	30 Grizzley Ln	Summersville	26651	Nicholas County	Nicholas County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 872-2141	708	41	17.1	44.8%	688 (97.2%)	2 (0.3%)	11 (1.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	51	45^th of 107 public high schools	57.9%		49.8	58^th of 111 public high schools	47.7%	13				17.4					53.0			19.7		$7,994	$1,103	$6,890
Richwood High School	Public	9-12	16414 Webster Rd	Craigsville	26205	Nicholas County	Nicholas County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 846-2684	299	19	15.7	53.5%	291 (97.3%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	54.9	40^th of 107 public high schools	62.6%		20.6	91^st of 111 public high schools	18.0%	51				22.2					55.6			15.6		$9,598	$833	$8,766
Nicholas County Career and Technical Center	Public	9-12	215 Milam Addition Rd	Craigsville	26205	Nicholas County	Nicholas County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 742-3024	1	17	.0		1 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Clay County High School	Public	9-12	1 Panther Drive	Clay	25043	Clay County	Clay County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 587-4226	520	34	15.2	51.6%	508 (97.7%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.0%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	55.3	39^th of 107 public high schools	63.6%		18.3	96^th of 111 public high schools	13.5%	57				20.0					52.0			20.8		$9,694	$1,951	$7,744
Midland Trail High	Public	6-12	26719 Midland Trail	Hico	25854	Fayette County	Fayette County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 658-5184	618	35	17.6	44.8%	606 (98.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.0%)								(n/a)	18.3	37.1	22.9	19.8	24.1	42.3	54.3	44.3	46.9	46.9	17.1	20.8	19.3	$8,504	$1,384	$7,120
Webster County High School	Public	7-12	1 Highlander Dr	Upperglade	26266	Webster County	Webster County Schools	No	No	No	Yes	(304) 226-5772	489	41	11.8	63.3%	479 (98.0%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)								(n/a)		17.9	9.4	4.1	10.2		41.2	35.9	31.1	35.9	15.9	13.5	14.6	$10,854	$1,446	$9,408

Frequently Asked Questions about Nicholas County High School

What district is Nicholas County High School in?

Nicholas County Schools

What is the racial makeup of Nicholas County High School?

Students at Nicholas County High School are 97% White, 2% Hispanic.

What schools feed into Nicholas County High School?

Nicholas County High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Birch River Elementary School
Elementary : Glade Creek Elementary School
Elementary : Mt. Lookout Elementary School
Elementary : Mt. Nebo Elementary School
Elementary : Panther Creek Elementary School
Elementary : Summersville Elementary School
Elementary : Zela Elementary School
Middle : Summersville Middle School

How many students attend Nicholas County High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 708 students attended Nicholas County High School.

Is Nicholas County High School a good school?

Nicholas County High School ranks 45^th of 107 West Virginia high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Nicholas County High 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.