Schools in Zip Code 26571

Zip code 26571, encompassing the Farmington, WV area, is served by a single high school: North Marion High School, which educates students in grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 671 students.

For parents considering this area, the most pressing concern is the school's dramatic academic decline. North Marion High School has fallen from a 4-star rating (25th in the state) to a 2-star rating (66th) in just two years—a 41-position drop. The most alarming statistic is in mathematics, where only 12.3% of 11th graders are proficient, down from 20.5% the previous year and now 8.3 points below the state average. Science proficiency also collapsed, dropping 9.4 points to 17.8%, while ELA remains the relative strength at 47.3% proficiency, though still below state averages. These declines are systemic, affecting all tested subjects, and suggest challenges beyond a single classroom or teacher. The school also consistently underperforms its own district, Marion County Schools, which ranks in the top 20% statewide—making North Marion a notable laggard within an otherwise strong district.

There is one significant bright spot: the graduation rate stands at an impressive 96.7%, exceeding both the district (96.1%) and state (92.8%) averages. However, this creates a paradox—students are graduating at high rates while showing low academic proficiency in core subjects. This disconnect may indicate that the school prioritizes completion over college or career readiness. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 and per-student spending of $12,788 (from 2018-2019), the resources appear adequate, yet outcomes are declining. Parents should view this school with caution, particularly regarding STEM education, and should monitor whether the downward trend continues or if intervention efforts take hold in the coming years.