Summary:
Zip code 26301 in Clarksburg, WV, is served by two public high schools—Robert C Byrd High School and Liberty High School—both part of the Harrison County Schools district and covering grades 9 through 12.
For parents comparing the two, Robert C Byrd High School is the clear academic leader. It ranks 32nd in the state (70th percentile, 4 stars) versus Liberty’s 81st (27th percentile, 1 star). Robert C Byrd also shows strong momentum, jumping from the 84th percentile three years ago to its current standing. Its 11th-grade proficiency rates are notably higher: 17.8% in math (vs. Liberty’s 2.7%), 58.6% in English (vs. 52.1%), and 28.0% in science (vs. 21.9%). Robert C Byrd also exceeds the state average in English and science, while Liberty falls below in every subject. Enrollment differs sharply—Robert C Byrd has 689 students compared to Liberty’s 346—and Robert C Byrd’s student-teacher ratio is 13.4 versus Liberty’s more favorable 9.9.
The most striking finding is the graduation-versus-proficiency paradox at Liberty High School. It boasts a near-perfect 99.1% graduation rate (above the state’s 92.8% and the district’s 97.7%), yet only 2.7% of its 11th graders are proficient in math. This suggests students are completing requirements without mastering core academic standards. Meanwhile, Robert C Byrd graduates 94.0% of its students while achieving far stronger test scores. The district as a whole masks these extremes—one school is above state averages in key subjects, the other is far below. Missing free/reduced lunch data limits deeper socioeconomic analysis, but the takeaway for parents is clear: Robert C Byrd offers a more rigorous academic environment, while Liberty excels at getting students to graduation, though with weaker demonstrated learning outcomes.
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