Summary:
Zip code 25434 is home to just one high school, Paw Paw High School, a very small rural school in Paw Paw, West Virginia, serving grades 7 through 12 with only 71 students enrolled.
For parents considering this area, the most striking feature of Paw Paw High School is its incredibly small size, which brings both benefits and challenges. The school boasts an exceptional 7.7:1 student-teacher ratio and achieved a perfect 100% graduation rate for the 2024-2025 school year, exceeding both the Morgan County Schools district rate of 99.3% and the state rate of 92.8%. However, academic performance tells a different story. Test scores are significantly below state averages in nearly every subject, with mathematics proficiency at just 12.1% compared to the state's 39.4%. The 11th-grade math proficiency is particularly concerning at only 6.7%. English Language Arts shows relative strength at 36.4% proficiency, and 11th-grade science actually outperforms the district average, though still trails the state.
The school's state ranking has been highly volatile, swinging from 66th (41st percentile) in 2023-2024 to dead last (111th out of 111) in 2024-2025, then recovering to 86th in 2025-2026. This instability is largely due to the tiny student body, where a single cohort's performance can dramatically shift overall metrics. The school spends a substantial $15,564 per student, yet these resources haven't translated into strong academic outcomes. Parents should also note that math proficiency declines sharply from 7th grade (20%) to 11th grade (6.7%), while ELA improves over the same period. Overall, Paw Paw High School offers a supportive, intimate environment with excellent graduation rates, but families should be aware of the significant academic challenges, particularly in mathematics, and the limited course offerings that come with such a small school.
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