Summary:
Zip code 26101 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, is served by two middle schools—Edison Middle School and Blennerhassett Middle School—both part of the highly rated Wood County Schools district (ranked 6th in the state) and both covering grades 6 through 8 with nearly identical enrollments of roughly 540 students each.
These two schools present a stark contrast in academic performance. Edison Middle School is the clear leader, ranking 27th out of 161 middle schools statewide (83rd percentile, 4 stars) and consistently exceeding district and state averages. Its math proficiency (50.9%) and science proficiency (39.6%) are well above the state averages of 39.4% and 29.3%, respectively. In contrast, Blennerhassett Middle School ranks 69th (57th percentile, 3 stars) and has been steadily declining over the past three years, dropping from 53rd to 69th. Blennerhassett trails Edison significantly in math (34.6% vs. 50.9%) and science (21.9% vs. 39.6%), with the widest gap appearing in 8th-grade math, where Edison's proficiency rate of 57.2% is nearly double Blennerhassett's 31.6%. The two schools are closest in English Language Arts, where Blennerhassett actually edges out Edison in 8th grade (43.6% vs. 42.1%).
Perhaps the most surprising finding is the spending paradox: Blennerhassett Middle School spends 23.8% more per student ($12,198 vs. $9,854) yet achieves worse outcomes, and it also has a higher student-teacher ratio (17.8:1 vs. 14.5:1), meaning the extra funds are not reducing class sizes. While both schools benefit from being in a top-tier district, Edison stands out as a district leader, while Blennerhassett falls below district averages in nearly every subject. For families in this zip code, school choice can significantly impact academic outcomes, particularly in STEM subjects, and the divergent trajectories suggest the gap may continue to widen.
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