Summary:
Zip code 26456, serving the West Union, WV area, is home to just one middle school, Doddridge County Middle School, which enrolls 352 students across grades 5 through 8 as part of the Doddridge County Schools district.
For parents considering this school, the standout feature is science achievement. Overall science proficiency sits at 40.7%, which is a remarkable 11.4 percentage points above the state average of 29.3%. This strength is especially pronounced in 5th grade, where 52.1% of students are proficient compared to just 34.6% statewide—a 17.5-point advantage. In math and English Language Arts (ELA), the school performs essentially at state averages, with overall proficiency rates of 38.5% and 46.9%, respectively. However, there is a notable grade-level pattern: 5th graders excel in math (53.5% vs. 44.0% statewide), but performance declines sharply by 8th grade, where math proficiency falls to 30.4% and ELA to 38.0%. This 23-point drop in math from 5th to 8th grade is more pronounced than the typical state trend and may be a concern for parents of older students.
The school’s state ranking has been volatile, swinging from 74th in 2023-2024 to 115th in 2024-2025, then rebounding to 66th in 2025-2026. With only about 88 students per grade, individual performances can heavily influence these percentages, so year-to-year swings may not fully reflect the school’s quality. Operationally, the school maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 and spends approximately $19,600 per student. While the district ranks in the top 22% of West Virginia districts, this middle school sits in the 59th percentile of middle schools, suggesting it may be the weaker link in an otherwise strong district—though its science program is clearly a standout asset.
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