Richwood Middle School

Richwood Middle School in Craigsville, WV, serves 228 students in grades 6 through 8 as part of Nicholas County Schools. The school has historically faced academic challenges, but the most recent school year shows a promising upward trend, jumping from the 14th to the 27th percentile in statewide rankings.

The most encouraging news for parents is the school's significant year-over-year improvement across nearly all student groups. This positive momentum is especially visible in 6th grade, where English Language Arts proficiency rates (56.6%) actually surpass both the district (52.4%) and state (47.4%) averages, and even outperform nearby Summersville Middle School (50.4%). The school also shows notable strength in supporting specific populations, earning its highest subgroup rankings for Special Education students (47th percentile) and Low Socio-Economic Status students (38th percentile), along with consistent 3-star ratings for its work with Homeless Students.

However, the data reveals a pronounced "7th grade slump" that parents should be aware of. While 6th-grade math proficiency sits near the state average at 34%, it drops sharply to 18.5% in 7th grade. Similarly, ELA proficiency falls dramatically from 56.6% in 6th grade to just 25.9% in 7th grade—a much steeper decline than seen at the state level or at Summersville Middle School. The good news is that 8th-grade scores show partial recovery, with math (22.6%) and ELA (43.4%) rates actually exceeding those at Summersville Middle School. Science remains a persistent weakness, with 8th-grade proficiency at 20.8%, below both district and state averages. Despite these challenges, the school's overall trajectory is positive, suggesting recent initiatives are beginning to take hold and could provide a foundation for continued growth.