Total enrollment
3,765
-756 (-17%) vs SY 2017-18
Preston County
West Virginia · Public K-12
Public education in Preston County reaches 3,765 students across 10 schools. Preston County Schools is the largest district at 3,765 students. By grade band, the county runs 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
7-year change in Preston County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
10
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
98%
was 98%
% Hispanic
1%
was 1%
% Black
0%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
10
1 districts
Enrollment
3,765
NCES CCD
Median income
$61,880
Above West Virginia avg
Free/reduced lunch
·
Enrollment-weighted
Elementary
8
2,419 students
Middle
1
290 students
High
1
1,056 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Preston County Schools
3,765 students · 1 district in Preston County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Preston 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+
17.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
9.5%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.3%
civilian labor
Median age
43
17.9% under 18
Test scores in Preston County
Latest 2020-21 ELA proficiency, 10 schools ranked. West Virginia state average: 39.7%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- Aurora School· 52.0%
- Central Preston Middle School· 42.0%
- Bruceton School· 36.0%
- South Preston School· 33.0%
- Kingwood Elementary· 32.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- West Preston School· 24.0%
- Rowlesburg School· 24.5%
- Terra Alta/East Preston School· 29.0%
- Fellowsville Elementary· 30.0%
- Kingwood Elementary· 32.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston High School | Kingwood | High | 09-12 | 1,056 | · |
| West Preston School | Arthurdale | Elementary | PK-08 | 604 | · |
| Bruceton School | Bruceton Mills | Elementary | PK-08 | 603 | · |
| Kingwood Elementary | Kingwood | Elementary | PK-04 | 383 | · |
| South Preston School | Tunnelton | Elementary | PK-08 | 312 | · |
| Central Preston Middle School | Kingwood | Middle | 05-08 | 290 | · |
| Terra Alta/East Preston School | Terra Alta | Elementary | PK-08 | 283 | · |
| Aurora School | Aurora | Elementary | PK-08 | 142 | · |
| Fellowsville Elementary | Tunnelton | Elementary | PK-04 | 59 | · |
| Rowlesburg School | Rowlesburg | Elementary | KG-08 | 33 | · |
Cities in Preston County
About Preston County
Preston County is a low-population West Virginia county of about 34,160 residents, home to 10 public schools and roughly 3,765 students.
In context, census numbers show the median household earns about $61,880 a year, roughly 18% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 10%. That income level is 10% noticeably above the West Virginia median.
In terms of grade levels, Preston County comprises 8 elementary schools (2,419 students), 1 middle school (290), and 1 high school (1,056).
Preston County Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 3,765 students across Preston County.
Five-year track record. Across the same 7-year window, public-school enrollment declined 17%: 4,521 students in SY 2017-18 versus 3,765 in SY 2024-25.
In the discussion threads here, the community for Preston County discusses open enrollment windows, redistricting talk, and busing logistics. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Preston County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data