Raleigh County

Executive Summary

Raleigh County represents a challenging educational landscape in West Virginia, characterized by significant socioeconomic pressures and declining population trends. The county has experienced notable population decline (-5.64% over the past decade) while facing a substantial youth poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating significant economic challenges. With 22% of adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the county demonstrates lower educational attainment compared to state averages. Academic performance metrics show concerning patterns, with reading proficiency at 50%, mathematics at 39%, and science showing particular challenges at 28%.

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The district encompasses 27 traditional public schools serving a K-12 student population of 10,287 students. The rural nature of the county presents challenges for educational innovation and reform efforts. However, a charter school founding group has a significant opportunity to drive meaningful educational gains for students in need of new options.

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Key Considerations:

• Socioeconomic Challenges: With more than one in five children (21.8%) living below the poverty level, there is a critical need for comprehensive support services and programs addressing non-academic barriers to learning.
• Rural Access: The county's rural character creates unique challenges for school operations and student access, requiring careful consideration of transportation and resource distribution in any educational initiatives.

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Strategic Opportunities for New School Development:

• Targeted Academic Improvement: The notably low proficiency rates, particularly in science (28.29%) and math (38.96%), suggest opportunities for specialized programs focused on STEM education and core academic enhancement.
• Community-Integrated Programming: Given the rural setting and limited resources, successful educational initiatives may need to leverage community partnerships and existing infrastructure to create sustainable programs.

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The county's rural character and surrounding region highlight the need for tailored approaches that address specific community needs.

(as of 2.2.25)

Raleigh County

Key Data & Climate