Schools in Zip Code 26218

Zip code 26218 is home to just one school, French Creek Elementary, a small rural school in Upshur County, WV, serving grades PK through 5 with 205 students and a favorable 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

For parents considering this area, French Creek Elementary stands out as a strong academic choice, particularly in mathematics. The school's overall math proficiency rate of 57.3% is nearly 18 percentage points above the state average, and it outperforms its district, Upshur County Schools, in nearly every subject and grade level. The most remarkable finding is the 4th grade cohort, which achieved 65.9% proficiency in both math and English Language Arts—more than 16 points above state averages in each subject. This consistency across subjects suggests highly effective instruction at that grade level. The school has also shown strong momentum, jumping from a state rank of 153rd to 118th out of 355 schools in the most recent year, placing it in the 67th percentile with a 3-star rating.

However, there are areas of concern. The 5th grade shows a notable dip, with math proficiency at 43.3% and ELA at 46.7%, both falling below state averages. This represents a significant drop from the exceptional 4th grade performance and may indicate a transition challenge. On a positive note, 5th grade science proficiency improved dramatically from 28.1% to 36.7% in one year, now exceeding the state average. While the school's overall performance is strong, the 5th grade decline is worth monitoring. With its small size, favorable student-teacher ratio, and consistent outperformance of its district, French Creek Elementary demonstrates that rural schools can deliver solid academic results, though targeted support for upper elementary grades could help sustain its upward trajectory.