Summary:
Zip code 26038 in Glen Dale, WV, is served by two schools within the Marshall County Schools district, which ranks in the top third of West Virginia districts: John Marshall High School (grades 9-12, 1,048 students) and Glen Dale Elementary School (grades PK-5, 206 students).
This is a high-performing cluster with two distinct strengths. John Marshall High School is the standout for its dramatic turnaround, jumping from 45th to 9th in the state over two years and earning a 5-star rating. Its graduation rate is exceptional at 97.9%, and it outperforms the state in every subject, with the largest advantage in science (+11.8 points). However, its math proficiency (27.4%) remains low in absolute terms, and ELA dipped slightly year-over-year. Meanwhile, Glen Dale Elementary School is a model of consistency, holding a 4-star rating for three straight years. It crushes state averages in math (+19.5 points) and ELA (+19.1 points), and its 3rd grade math proficiency (86.2%) is extraordinary. Yet, there is a striking 44.8-point drop from 3rd to 4th grade math, and 5th grade science (28.1%) falls below the state average—a notable weakness given the school's other strengths.
Both schools maintain favorable student-teacher ratios (around 11:1), though the high school spends $1,344 more per student. The elementary school delivers strong results at lower cost, while the high school's additional investment appears to be fueling its rise. For parents, this area offers a solid educational foundation with a rising high school and a reliable elementary school. The key watch items are the elementary school's grade-level math transition and science instruction, plus sustaining the high school's momentum in math and ELA.
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