Schools in Zip Code 24740

Schools in zip code 24740, located in the Princeton area of Mercer County, West Virginia, serve 1,885 students across five schools, including one high school, one middle school, two elementary schools, and one virtual academy, all within the Mercer County Schools district.

For parents, the standout school in this area is Straley Elementary School, which is the highest-ranked elementary school in the zip code, earning a 3-star rating and ranking 180th out of 355 schools statewide. Its math proficiency rate of 56.8% far exceeds both the district (35.4%) and state (39.4%) averages, and it has shown steady improvement over the past two years. In contrast, Mercer Elementary lags significantly behind, with a 1-star rating and math proficiency of just 32.3%, creating a stark divide between the two elementary schools. At the secondary level, Princeton Senior High School is a clear success story, ranking 19th out of 105 high schools in West Virginia (82nd percentile, 4 stars) and boasting an 11th-grade math proficiency of 35.7% compared to 20.6% statewide, along with a strong 91.1% graduation rate. However, Princeton Middle School is the most concerning, ranking in the bottom 16th percentile of middle schools with a 1-star rating and 8th-grade math proficiency at just 16%.

Key takeaways for families include a pronounced "middle school slump," as proficiency drops dramatically from Straley's 5th-grade math (51.7%) to Princeton Middle's 6th-grade math (24.6%). Additionally, per-student spending does not align with outcomes—Princeton Middle spends the most ($12,746 per student) yet performs the worst, while Princeton High spends the least ($10,088) and excels. The high school's upward trajectory from 44th to 19th in the state over three years is a positive sign, but the middle school's struggles represent a critical area for district intervention. Compass Virtual Academy, the K-12 alternative school, has limited data but serves 42 students as a flexible option.