WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) – Statewide public school enrollment in West Virginia for the 2025-26 school year stands at 234,957 students, down 2.52% from 241,024 in 2024-25 and 6.35% from 250,899 in 2021-22.
Of those enrolled, 98.2% attend county school systems, while 1.8% (about 4,243 students) attend charter schools. The data show 52 of the state’s 61 districts experienced enrollment declines.
School Counts & Types
The state reports 618 PK-12 schools (county & charter) for the current year, down from 629 the previous year.
Breakdowns include:
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Elementary (Primary + Elementary): 358 schools
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Middle schools: 145
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Secondary schools: 115
Districts with Largest Enrollment Drops
Some of the largest numeric declines (from 2024-25 to 2025-26) include:
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Kanawha County: 23,101 → 22,132 (-969)
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Harrison County: 9,355 → 8,926 (-429)
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Mercer County: 8,231 → 7,906 (-325)
Implications & Questions
Declining enrollment raises concerns for resource allocation, school funding models, staffing, and long-term planning. Fewer students may lead to budget pressures and potential consolidation efforts. The report suggests this trend is widespread rather than isolated to a few districts.
