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Paden City High School

Public Grades 7-12

97^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 111 West Virginia High Schools

Better than 13% of West Virginia high schools

Summary

Paden City High School is a public high school serving grades 7-12 in Paden City, West Virginia, with a total enrollment of 160 students. The school is part of the Wetzel County Schools district, which is ranked 49 out of 55 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Paden City High School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of West Virginia high schools, ranging from 11th to 97th out of over 100 schools in recent years. The school's academic performance, as measured by proficiency rates on the West Virginia Assessment, is significantly below the state and district averages across multiple subjects and grade levels. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school's 11th-grade proficiency rates were 9.1% in math, 27.3% in English language arts, and 22.7% in science, compared to the state averages of 20.3%, 55.1%, and 27.8%, respectively. However, the school's four-year graduation rates have been relatively strong, ranging from 91.7% to 96.4% in recent years, which is comparable to or slightly higher than the graduation rates of the surrounding schools, such as Magnolia High School and Valley High School.

Despite the school's higher per-student spending of $16,725 in 2018-2019 compared to nearby schools and its relatively low student-teacher ratio, Paden City High School's academic performance has been deteriorating over the past decade, with the school's statewide ranking and rating steadily declining. The school's consistent underperformance across various student subgroups, including female, male, white, special education, and low socioeconomic status students, indicates a systemic issue in providing equitable educational opportunities and support for all students. This disconnect between the school's high graduation rates and low academic achievement suggests that Paden City High School may be struggling to prepare students for college and career readiness.

152

Students ?

9.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,725

Per pupil spending ?

49.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

201 N 4th Ave
Paden City, WV 26159-1509

(304) 337-2266

District: Wetzel County Schools

Feeder schools for Paden City High School:

Elementary:

Paden City Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.7%

Two or more races:

2.0%

Asian:

1.3%

See top rated West Virginia high schools

Compare Paden City High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 68th percentile in 2015 → 13th in 2025

Strengths

✓97% graduate in 4 years — above the West Virginia average (93%)

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the West Virginia average (25% vs 36% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (13th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 55 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school25%

District avg30%

West Virginia avg36%

Middle school

117^th of 168

West Virginia public middle schools ?

Bottom 30%▼ down 63 pts since 2015

From top 6% (2015) to bottom 30% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

97^th of 111

West Virginia public high schools ?

Bottom 13%▼ down 55 pts since 2015

From top 32% (2015) to bottom 13% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of West Virginia High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4High Schools in the Wetzel County Schools

49^th of 55Wetzel 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	35.0	117 of 168	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	6.9	168 of 169	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.6	163 of 168	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	43.9	97 of 169	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	28.2	133 of 171	22.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.4	130 of 171	24.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.0	127 of 170	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	44.2	110 of 176	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	42.5	99 of 172	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	86.3	11 of 173	93.6%	★★★★★
2014	59.5	52 of 172	69.8%	★★★★☆
2013	50.6	83 of 174	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	28.6	139 of 172	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	63.5	47 of 171	72.5%	★★★★☆
2010	55.9	66 of 171	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2009	55.9	74 of 171	56.7%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	10.2	154 of 158	2.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	7.8	157 of 158	0.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.6	151 of 158	4.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	41.8	100 of 164	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	45.0	86 of 162	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	29.4	133 of 162	17.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	14.2	158 of 166	4.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	57.0	67 of 174	61.5%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	35.3	119 of 165	27.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	13.4	162 of 164	1.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	20.8	149 of 162	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	59.1	49 of 162	69.8%	★★★★☆
2021	30.8	134 of 164	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.9	118 of 165	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	52.1	82 of 176	53.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	63.0	45 of 160	71.9%	★★★★☆
2024	18.1	148 of 165	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	42.3	87 of 161	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	37.3	114 of 161	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	54.5	64 of 164	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	27.1	144 of 176	18.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	61.9	23 of 107	78.5%	★★★★☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	48.3	78 of 174	55.2%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	34.0	116 of 168	31.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	7.1	169 of 169	0.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.1	163 of 168	3.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	36.5	109 of 168	35.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	26.9	135 of 170	20.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	30.2	130 of 168	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	34.0	115 of 167	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	40.6	120 of 176	31.8%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	18.3	97 of 111	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.5	90 of 112	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.0	95 of 112	15.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.6	79 of 112	29.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.3	56 of 113	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	55.7	44 of 114	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	89.4	11 of 115	90.4%	★★★★★
2017	48.2	68 of 122	44.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	59.8	36 of 119	69.7%	★★★★☆
2015	60.4	38 of 117	67.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	81.1	8 of 115	93.0%	★★★★★
2013	45.5	63 of 114	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.8	33 of 113	70.8%	★★★★☆
2011	72.1	21 of 113	81.4%	★★★★☆
2010	64.9	29 of 112	74.1%	★★★★☆
2009	71.2	17 of 111	84.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	15.8	96 of 107	10.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	56.5	43 of 110	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	15.3	99 of 108	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	22.9	89 of 108	17.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	32.6	73 of 110	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	60.7	43 of 109	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	99.3	3 of 111	97.3%	★★★★★
2017	44.0	71 of 119	40.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	20.7	94 of 109	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	30.6	79 of 110	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	32.8	75 of 107	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.5	74 of 109	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	56.2	45 of 111	59.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	2.6	111 of 112	0.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	54.3	51 of 121	57.9%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	25.5	82 of 106	22.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	31.6	78 of 108	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	59.5	38 of 108	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	72.5	25 of 110	77.3%	★★★★☆
2019	55.6	43 of 109	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	66.2	34 of 111	69.4%	★★★★☆
2017	45.2	69 of 122	43.4%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2017	21.2	110 of 118	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	West Virginia percentile	Rating
2025	13.2	104 of 111	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	21.2	92 of 111	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.0	94 of 112	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.6	78 of 111	29.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.1	57 of 113	49.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	50.8	52 of 112	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	87.8	11 of 113	90.3%	★★★★★
2017	48.0	67 of 122	45.1%	★★☆☆☆

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)

Middle school

Multi-racial (2017)79th percentile+41 vs school

Male (2025)72nd percentile+42 vs school

Special Education (2017)55th percentile+18 vs school

White (2025)31st percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)28th percentile~ school

Female (2025)3rd percentile-28 vs school

High school

Male (2025)23rd percentile+10 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)14th percentile~ school

Female (2025)10th percentile~ school

Special Education (2017)7th percentile-37 vs school

White (2025)6th percentile-6 vs school

By subject vs West Virginia (2024-2025) ?

English Language Arts38%-10 vs state

Science24%-4 vs state

Mathematics12%-18 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Thursday, January 18, 2018

Paden City continues to out pace all schools in Wetzel County every year. Their enrollment is stable and shows a 3 increase over 10 years unlike the county which has lost over 15 of it's student population since 2007 Close Quote

by a teacher on FaceBook
Monday, January 27, 2014

Great school with awesome students! Close Quote

Schools Near Paden City High School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				WV Assessment Mathematics (2025)			WV Assessment English Language Arts (2025)			WV Assessment Science (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
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	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	WV Assessment Mathematics 7th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 8th Grade	WV Assessment Mathematics 11th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 7th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 8th Grade	WV Assessment English Language Arts 11th Grade	WV Assessment Science 8th Grade	WV Assessment Science 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Paden City High School	Public	7-12	201 N 4th Ave	Paden City	26159	Wetzel County	Wetzel County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 337-2266	152	16	9.3		144 (94.7%)	1 (0.7%)	2 (1.3%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.0%)	18.3	97^th of 111 public high schools	12.6%		22.5	90^th of 112 public high schools	19.6%	7	21.7	4.4	9.1	52.2	34.8	27.3	26.1	22.7	$16,725	$432	$16,293
Magnolia High School	Public	9-12	601 Maple Ave	New Martinsville	26155	Wetzel County	Wetzel County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 455-1990	287	30	9.7		278 (96.9%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	56.6	51^st of 111 public high schools	54.1%		59.6	43^rd of 112 public high schools	61.6%	8			22.2			48.6		29.2	$16,386	$526	$15,860
Wetzel County Technical Education Center	Public	9-12	2213 Mountaineer Hwy	New Martinsville	26155	Wetzel County	Wetzel County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 455-2441	0	7	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Tyler Consolidated High School	Public	9-12	1993 Silver Knight Dr	Sistersville	26175	Tyler County	Tyler County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 758-9000	368	34	10.7		351 (95.4%)	3 (0.8%)	5 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.2%)	50	57^th of 111 public high schools	48.6%		62	41^st of 112 public high schools	63.4%	16			11.3			57.8		26.8	$17,736	$1,825	$15,912
Valley High School	Public	9-12	44 Lumberjack Ln	Pine Grove	26419	Wetzel County	Wetzel County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 889-3151	124	18	7.0		122 (98.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	15.8	99^th of 111 public high schools	10.8%		24	88^th of 112 public high schools	21.4%	11			4.4			47.8		13.0	$22,353	$889	$21,464
St. Marys High School	Public	9-12	2330 N Pleasants Hwy	Saint Marys	26170	Pleasants County	Pleasants County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 684-2421	309	23	13.2		299 (96.8%)	3 (1.0%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	40.9	70^th of 111 public high schools	36.9%		70.1	30^th of 112 public high schools	73.2%	40			12.2			52.7		24.3	$15,034	$1,045	$13,989
Mid Ohio Valley Technical Institute	Public	9-12	2134 N Pleasants Hwy	Saint Marys	26170	Pleasants County	Pleasants County Schools	No	No	No	No	(304) 684-2464	3	13	.2		3 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Paden City High School

What district is Paden City High School in?

Wetzel County Schools

How many students attend Paden City High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 152 students attended Paden City High School.

What schools feed into Paden City High School?

Paden City High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Paden City Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Paden City High School?

Students at Paden City High School are 95% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian, 1% Hispanic.

Is Paden City High School a good school?

Paden City High School ranks in the bottom 12.6% of West Virginia high schools.

Rate Paden City High School!

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Schools in Paden City, WV

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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.