Summary:
Zip code 26431, serving the Shinnston, WV area, is home to just one elementary school, Big Elm Elementary School, which serves grades PK-5 within Harrison County Schools.
For parents considering this area, Big Elm Elementary School is a school with a clear academic identity: it is a standout in mathematics but faces challenges in English Language Arts (ELA). In the most recent school year, the school posted a 61.4% proficiency rate in math, which is more than 20 percentage points above both the district (40%) and state (39.4%) averages. This is a remarkable strength. However, ELA proficiency sits at 44.2%, which trails the district (49.4%) and state (47.6%) averages. The most significant concern is in 3rd grade, where only 32.4% of students are proficient in ELA, a dramatic dip compared to the 4th grade (50.7%) and 5th grade (48.8%) scores. This suggests early literacy is an area needing targeted support. Science performance is essentially average, with 34.2% proficiency, nearly matching the state rate.
On a positive note, the school is on an upward trajectory. Its state ranking improved significantly, jumping from the 43rd percentile in 2024-2025 to the 57th percentile in 2025-2026, a gain of 53 positions. The school is also well-resourced, with a favorable 13.3:1 student-to-teacher ratio and per-student spending of $11,729, which is above the national average. While the wide gap between math and ELA achievement is notable, the school's strong resources and recent improvement suggest it has the foundation to address its literacy challenges. For parents, this is a school where math instruction is clearly excelling, but where a close look at early reading support would be wise.
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