RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Raleigh County Schools is partnering with GEAR UP Southern West Virginia and the Vela Institute on a new initiative aimed at improving how students move from middle school to high school—one of the most challenging transitions in a student’s academic path.
The district is using Vela’s Evidence-Based Problem Solving (EBPS) framework to study how students experience the shift to ninth grade and to develop strategies that strengthen academic readiness, build confidence, and create a stronger sense of belonging.
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“Raleigh County’s commitment to evidence-based improvement is an inspiring example of how schools can use data, research, and student voice to make meaningful change,” said Dr. Shawn Bergman, founder of the Vela Institute. “The county is applying research in real time to help students thrive during a crucial transition year.”
This spring, the Vela Institute held focus groups with 40 rising ninth graders at Park, Beckley-Stratton, Independence, and Trap Hill Middle Schools.
Students expressed both excitement and anxiety about entering high school, according to the report, We’re Excited, But We’re Nervous: Student Insights on the Transition to High School. Many looked forward to new opportunities but were uncertain about academics, friendships, and finding supportive adults.
“We heard a lot of students say, ‘We’re excited, but we’re nervous,’” said Kasarah Stover, GEAR UP SWV Local Coordinator for Raleigh County Schools. “Their honesty helps us see where we can strengthen supports — not just academically, but in ways that build confidence and connection, to make sure students feel seen and prepared.”
Findings from the focus groups, along with research from Vela’s Evidence Assessment, guided a multi-phase professional development effort for school leaders and teachers.
On August 22, 2025, Dr. Bergman met with ninth-grade educators to share the local and national research. Then, on September 25, 2025, high school principals, assistant principals, and counselors reviewed the findings and identified specific interventions.
Each high school selected three strategies to improve the transition experience for incoming freshmen.
These strategies are being refined and rolled out during the 2025–26 school year, with continued support from GEAR UP SWV and the Vela Institute during the Advise and Assess phases of the EBPS process.
Raleigh County’s efforts align with GEAR UP SWV’s broader goals of preparing students in southern West Virginia for college and career pathways.
The federally funded GEAR UP program, administered by Concord University, supports students in Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Wyoming counties from middle school through their first year of college.
“By blending student feedback with proven strategies, Raleigh County is setting a standard for student-centered improvement,” said Sheila Womack, GEAR UP SWV Director. “This approach not only strengthens ninth-grade outcomes, it builds a foundation for lifelong success.”
The Vela Institute, a nonprofit organization, focuses on expanding access to evaluation, analytics, and data tools that help education partners improve outcomes for students and communities.
