Preston High School

Preston High School in Kingwood, WV, serves approximately 1,056 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Preston County Schools district. The school currently ranks in the bottom third of West Virginia high schools, though it has shown slight improvement over the past year.

The most significant concern for parents is mathematics achievement. Only 8.5% of 11th graders at Preston High School are proficient in math, compared to the state average of 20.6%. This gap has remained stubbornly wide for several years, suggesting a systemic challenge. Science proficiency (18.3%) also trails the state average (23.6%), while English Language Arts is a relative bright spot at 45.1% proficiency, just 6 points below the state average. For context, nearby Morgantown High School, located just 19 miles away in the Monongalia County Schools district, posts dramatically higher scores—41.8% math proficiency and 67.9% ELA proficiency. The two schools serve very different communities, and the achievement gap reflects broader disparities in resources and opportunities.

There are some encouraging signs. The graduation rate has climbed from 83.1% in 2021-2022 to 91.4% in 2024-2025, nearly matching the state average of 92.8%. The school also spends slightly less per student ($9,981) than Morgantown ($10,723), yet maintains a more favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1. Support for low-income students has been inconsistent, with performance fluctuating significantly year to year, though the most recent data shows improvement. Parents should know that while Preston High School faces real academic challenges—particularly in math and science—the school has demonstrated capacity for improvement, especially in keeping students on track to graduate. The path forward will require focused attention on math instruction and consistent support for students who need it most.