Summary:
Zip code 25181, encompassing the rural communities of Seth and Van in southern West Virginia, is home to two high schools within the Boone County Schools district, serving a combined 473 students in grades 9-12 at Sherman High School and grades 6-12 at Van Junior/Senior High School.
Both schools face significant academic challenges, ranking in the bottom 12% of West Virginia high schools. Van Junior/Senior High School has experienced a dramatic decline, falling from a 4-star rating (29th in the state) in 2023-2024 to a 1-star rating (94th) in 2025-2026. Despite this, Van boasts a strong 96.4% graduation rate—well above the state average—and its middle school students perform near or above state averages in English Language Arts. However, its 11th-grade science proficiency is alarmingly low at just 5.9%, roughly one-quarter of the state average. Sherman High School has been a consistent underperformer, though it showed promising improvement in 11th-grade math, doubling its proficiency from 4.8% to 10.7% year-over-year. Both schools actually outperform their district's 11th-grade math average (7.9%), suggesting they are not the weakest schools in Boone County for that subject.
For parents, the key takeaway is that while both schools struggle academically compared to state averages, they offer different strengths. Van's high graduation rate and solid middle school ELA scores contrast sharply with its poor high school science and math proficiency, raising questions about diploma rigor. Sherman, while lower overall, is showing signs of progress in math. Notably, Van spends $2,367 more per student ($13,696 vs. $11,329) than Sherman, yet this additional investment has not translated into consistently better outcomes. With a district ranked in the bottom 20% statewide, families should consider these schools' specific strengths and weaknesses—particularly Van's concerning science scores and Sherman's improving math trajectory—when making educational decisions.
Thank you for your feedback!