Total enrollment
8,310
-741 (-8%) vs SY 2017-18
Mercer County
West Virginia · Public K-12
Parents in Mercer County researching K-12 options have 27 public schools to consider, with combined enrollment near 8,310 (18 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high).
7-year change in Mercer County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
25
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
81%
was 84%
% Hispanic
1%
was 1%
% Black
9%
was 10%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
58,563
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
27
1 districts
Enrollment
8,310
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$53,210
Below West Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
18
4,409 students
Middle
3
1,418 students
High
5
2,441 students
Combined / other
1
42 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
Mercer County Schools
8,310 students · 1 district in Mercer County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Mercer County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
22.9%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
13.4%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
2.7%
civilian labor
Median age
44
20.8% under 18
Test scores in Mercer County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 21 schools ranked. West Virginia state average: 39.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Athens Elementary School· 52.0%
- Glenwood School (K-8)· 52.0%
- Princeton Senior High School· 52.0%
- Bluefield High School· 47.0%
- Melrose Elementary School· 47.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- Bluewell Elementary School· 17.0%
- Montcalm Elementary School· 27.0%
- Montcalm High School· 27.0%
- Princeton Middle School· 27.0%
- Brushfork Elementary School· 32.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton Senior High School | Princeton | High | 09-12 | 925 | · |
| Pikeview High School | Princeton | High | 09-12 | 629 | · |
| Bluefield High School | Bluefield | High | 09-12 | 618 | · |
| Glenwood School (K-8) | Princeton | Elementary | KG-08 | 614 | · |
| Pikeview Middle School | Princeton | Middle | 06-08 | 502 | · |
| Princeton Middle School | Princeton | Middle | 06-08 | 488 | · |
| Princeton Primary School | Princeton | Elementary | KG-02 | 448 | · |
| Bluefield Middle School | Bluefield | Middle | 06-08 | 428 | · |
| Bluefield Primary School | Bluefield | Elementary | PK-02 | 349 | · |
| Silver Springs Early Learning Center | Princeton | Elementary | PK-PK | 335 | · |
| Mountain Valley Elementary School | Bluefield | Elementary | PK-05 | 273 | · |
| Bluefield Intermediate School | Bluefield | Elementary | 03-05 | 269 | · |
| Montcalm High School | Rock | High | 07-12 | 269 | · |
| Mercer Elementary | Princeton | Elementary | 03-05 | 258 | · |
| Montcalm Elementary School | Rock | Elementary | PK-06 | 256 | · |
| Melrose Elementary School | Princeton | Elementary | KG-05 | 239 | · |
| Athens Elementary School | Athens | Elementary | PK-05 | 233 | · |
| Lashmeet/Matoaka Elementary School | Matoaka | Elementary | PK-05 | 181 | · |
| Straley Elementary School | Princeton | Elementary | 03-05 | 172 | · |
| Brushfork Elementary School | Bluefield | Elementary | KG-05 | 171 | · |
| Oakvale School | Princeton | Elementary | PK-05 | 168 | · |
| Bluewell Elementary School | Bluefield | Elementary | PK-05 | 167 | · |
| Spanishburg | Spanisburg | Elementary | PK-05 | 159 | · |
| Sun Valley Elementary School | Lerona | Elementary | PK-05 | 117 | · |
| Compass Virtual Academy | Princeton | Combined | KG-12 | 42 | · |
| Mercer County Technical Education Center | Princeton | High | 09-12 | · | · |
| Timberwood Elementary School | Bluefield | Elementary | M-M | · | · |
Cities in Mercer County
About Mercer County
In West Virginia, Mercer County is a thinly populated county of about 58,563 residents. 27 public schools across the county serves about 8,310 students between them.
For perspective, census numbers show the median household earns about $53,210 a year, roughly 23% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the poverty rate is around 13%. That income level is 5% meaningfully below the West Virginia median.
In terms of grade levels, Mercer County is built around 18 elementary schools (4,409 students), 3 middle schools (1,418), 5 high schools (2,441), and 1 combined or other schools.
Mercer County Schools dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 8,310 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 8,310 students, decreased 8% from the 9,051 reported in SY 2017-18. Demographically, the White share of enrollment shrank from 84% to 81%.
On allk12, the community for Mercer County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Mercer County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data