For the 2025 school year, there are 30 public schools serving 11,488 students in Charleston, WV (there are 7 private schools, serving 1,463 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Charleston, WV are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%). Charleston has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in West Virginia.
The top ranked public schools in Charleston, WV are Holz Elementary School, Kenna Elementary School and John Adams Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Charleston, WV public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the West Virginia public school average of 32%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 41% statewide average). Schools in Charleston have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of West Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public school average of 12% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Charleston, WV (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Holz Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
1505 Hampton Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-1906
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-1906
Grades: PK-5
| 289 students
Rank: #22.
Kenna Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
198 Eureka Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6104
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6104
Grades: PK-5
| 180 students
Rank: #33.
John Adams Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2002 Presidential Dr
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6652
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6652
Grades: 6-8
| 708 students
Rank: #44.
Overbrook Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
218 Oakwood Road
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6179
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-6179
Grades: K-5
| 337 students
Rank: #55.
George Washington High School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1522 Tennis Club Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-7729
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-7729
Grades: 9-12
| 1,186 students
Rank: #66.
Cross Lanes Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
5525 Big Tyler Rd
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-2022
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-2022
Grades: PK-5
| 303 students
Rank: #77.
Shoals Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
100 Dutch Rd
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-1900
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-1900
Grades: PK-5
| 187 students
Rank: #88.
Andrew Jackson Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
5445 Big Tyler Rd
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-3310
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-3310
Grades: 6-8
| 494 students
Rank: #99.
Sissonville High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6100 Sissonville Dr
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1954
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1954
Grades: 9-12
| 572 students
Rank: #1010.
Elk Elementary Center
(Math: 42% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3320 Pennsylvania Ave
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-7776
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-7776
Grades: PK-5
| 479 students
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Chamberlain Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4901 Venable Ave
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1969
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1969
Grades: PK-5
| 216 students
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Flinn Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2006 Mcclure Pkwy
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1960
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1960
Grades: PK-4
| 420 students
Rank: #11 - 1311. - 13.
Kanawha City Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3601 Staunton Ave Se
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1985
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1985
Grades: PK-5
| 217 students
Rank: #1414.
Horace Mann Middle School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
4300 Maccorkle Ave Se
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1971
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 348-1971
Grades: 6-8
| 395 students
Rank: #1515.
Capital High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1500 Greenbrier St
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-6500
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-6500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,042 students
Rank: #1616.
Chesapeake Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
13620 Maccorkle Ave
Charleston, WV 25315
(304) 949-1121
Charleston, WV 25315
(304) 949-1121
Grades: PK-5
| 118 students
Rank: #1717.
Point Harmony Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5312 Big Tyler Rd
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-3482
Charleston, WV 25313
(304) 776-3482
Grades: PK-5
| 472 students
Rank: #1818.
Ruffner Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
809 Litz Dr
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-1130
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-1130
Grades: PK-5
| 281 students
Rank: #1919.
Sissonville Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 Middle School Ln
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1993
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1993
Grades: 5-8
| 513 students
Rank: #2020.
Malden Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4001 Salines Dr
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1973
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1973
Grades: PK-5
| 171 students
Rank: #2121.
Edgewood Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
550 Hawks Rdg
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6631
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6631
Grades: PK-5
| 372 students
Rank: #2222.
Sissonville Elementary School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
8324 Sissonville Dr
Charleston, WV 25320
(304) 348-1961
Charleston, WV 25320
(304) 348-1961
Grades: PK-4
| 233 students
Rank: #2323.
Marmet Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
408 94th St
Charleston, WV 25315
(304) 949-2382
Charleston, WV 25315
(304) 949-2382
Grades: PK-5
| 103 students
Rank: #2424.
Grandview Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
959 Woodward Dr
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-1928
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-1928
Grades: PK-5
| 134 students
Rank: #2525.
Piedmont Year-round Education
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
203 Bradford St
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 348-1910
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 348-1910
Grades: PK-5
| 289 students
Rank: #2626.
Mary C. Snow West Side Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
100 Florida St
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-1902
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-1902
Grades: PK-5
| 341 students
Rank: #2727.
Kcs Alternative Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1900 School St
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-6133
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-6133
Grades: K-12
| 146 students
Rank: #2828.
West Side Middle School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
812 Park Ave
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6123
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6123
Grades: 6-8
| 354 students
Rank: n/an/a
Carver Career Center
Vocational School
4799 Midland Dr
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1965
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1965
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
West Virginia Virtual Academy
Charter School
3508 Staunton Ave 3rd Floor
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Grades: K-11
| 936 students
Charleston, West Virginia Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Route 1 Box 425a
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1912
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1912
Grades: K-4
| 155 students
1900 School St
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1902
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1902
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
Garnet Career Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
422 Dickinson Street
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 348-6195
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 348-6195
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
810 Grant St
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6610
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6610
Grades: PK-5
| n/a students
915 Beech Ave
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6631
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6631
Grades: PK-5
| 204 students
Mt Olive (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
1900 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV 25305
Charleston, WV 25305
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Tyler Middle School (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
4277 West Washington St
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6133
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6133
Grades: 6-8
| 74 students
195c Rutledge Rd
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-7701
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-7701
Grades: K-5
| 129 students
230 Costello St
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6635
Charleston, WV 25302
(304) 348-6635
Grades: PK-5
| 196 students
West Virginia School For The Deaf-elem (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
301 East Main Street
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 822-3521
Charleston, WV 25305
(304) 822-3521
Grades: PK-12
| n/a students
3508 Staunton Avenue, 3rd Floo
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Charleston, WV?
The top ranked public schools in Charleston, WV include Holz Elementary School, Kenna Elementary School and John Adams Middle School. Charleston has one of the highest concentrations of top ranked public schools in West Virginia.
How many public schools are located in Charleston?
30 public schools are located in Charleston.
What percentage of students in Charleston go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Charleston are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Charleston?
Charleston public schools minority enrollment is 23% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public schools average of 12% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Charleston are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Charleston include: Shoals Elementary School vs. Elk Elementary Center, Cross Lanes Elementary School vs. Point Harmony Elementary School, Point Harmony Elementary School vs. Cross Lanes Elementary School
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