Summary:
Zip code 26266, located in the rural community of Upperglade, West Virginia, is served by a single high school: Webster County High School, part of the Webster County Schools district.
This small school serves grades 7 through 12 with an enrollment of just 489 students, meaning an average of roughly 82 students per grade level. The most encouraging statistic is the graduation rate: 97.5% of students graduate, which is nearly five points higher than the state average of 92.8%. However, academic proficiency tells a different story. In mathematics, only 10.2% of students are proficient compared to 39.4% statewide. Science proficiency stands at 14.6% versus 29.3% statewide. English Language Arts is the relative strength, with 35.9% proficiency compared to 47.6% statewide. The 11th grade shows the most concerning gaps, particularly in math where just 4.1% of juniors are proficient versus 20.6% statewide. The school's state ranking has also dropped dramatically, falling from 69th in 2024-2025 to 102nd in 2025-2026, placing it in the bottom 3% of West Virginia high schools.
For parents, the key takeaway is that this school excels at getting students to graduation but struggles with academic achievement. The student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 is favorable, suggesting class sizes are not the primary issue. The school's small cohort size means year-to-year test scores can fluctuate significantly based on the strengths of individual classes. The district itself ranks 53rd out of 54 in West Virginia, indicating systemic challenges beyond just this school. Parents should consider that while the graduation rate is excellent, students may need additional academic support, particularly in math and science, to be competitive after high school. The school's rural setting and combined middle/high school configuration are typical for areas with limited population density.
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