Summary:
Zip code 26807 in Franklin, West Virginia, is served by two schools within the Pendleton County Schools district: Pendleton County Middle/High School (grades 7-12, 386 students) and Franklin Elementary School (grades PK-6, 247 students). While the district itself ranks in the 81st percentile statewide, both schools have experienced significant declines in their state rankings over the past three years, suggesting systemic challenges despite strong resources.
At the secondary level, Pendleton County Middle/High School has fallen from the 66th percentile to the 19th percentile in state rankings. The most alarming trend is an 11th-grade "cliff" in mathematics and science, where only 11.9% of students are proficient in each subject—roughly half the state average. However, 8th-grade science is a notable bright spot at 44.3% proficiency, 15 points above the state average. The school maintains a favorable 11.6:1 student-to-teacher ratio and a 91.4% graduation rate. Meanwhile, Franklin Elementary School has dropped from the 70th to the 48th percentile. It shows a 32-point swing in ELA between 3rd grade (23.3% proficient) and 4th grade (55.3% proficient), along with a steady decline in math proficiency from 53.3% in 3rd grade to 32.1% in 5th grade. Fifth-grade science (42.9%) exceeds the state average.
Both schools benefit from excellent student-to-teacher ratios (9.8:1 at the elementary school) and per-student spending above $14,000, indicating resources are not the primary barrier. The district's 81st-percentile ranking contrasts sharply with both schools ranking below the 50th percentile, suggesting other district schools may be performing better. For parents, the key takeaway is that while foundational resources are strong, targeted interventions are needed—particularly for upper high school math and science, and early elementary reading—to reverse the downward trajectory and address the widening gaps between grade levels.
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