Jefferson County Schools & Education
Jefferson County, West Virginia
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
55/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
91.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 92.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,534
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,773
School Score
55/100
Higher = better
State avg 62/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#37
of 55 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Jefferson County
School Verdict
Jefferson County performs at an average level with a school score of 55/100 and a solid graduation rate of 91.0%.
Funding Context
At $7,534 per pupil, Jefferson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Jefferson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 11% below the West Virginia average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 3% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Jefferson County, West Virginia
Large Campuses and Growing Enrollment
Jefferson County features 18 public schools, including 10 elementary and four middle schools, serving a total of 8,927 students. This growing infrastructure includes two high schools and two specialized programs to accommodate the county's increasing student population.
High Graduation Success Despite Lean Funding
The graduation rate stands at 91.0%, outperforming the national average of 87.0% despite a per-pupil expenditure of $7,534 that trails state and national norms. The county's school score of 55.2 reflects a solid performance baseline relative to the state average of 56.7.
Diverse District Options and Charter Choice
While Jefferson County Schools manages 16 campuses and 8,389 students, the county also hosts two charter schools representing 11.1% of the total schools. Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy and Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia provide alternative options for over 500 local students.
Rural Roots with Massive High Schools
Twelve schools operate in rural locales, yet the average school size is a high 496 students due to large consolidated campuses. Jefferson High School leads with 1,444 students, while Washington High School follows closely with 1,328 students.
Discover Vibrant Neighborhoods Near Top Schools
Jefferson County offers a unique mix of large-scale high schools and innovative charter options for modern families. Prospective homebuyers often find that the area's strong graduation rates make it a compelling choice for long-term investment.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Jefferson County
Total Enrollment
8,927
students
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
2
11% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
3 School Districts in Jefferson County
JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS
Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy
Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia
18 Public Schools in Jefferson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,444 |
| WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 9–12 | High | 1,328 |
| CHARLES TOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 637 |
| HARPERS FERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 562 |
| T A LOWERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 522 |
| SOUTH JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 458 |
| WILDWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 425 |
| BLUE RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 407 |
| DRISWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 379 |
| PAGE JACKSON ELEMENTARY | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–2 | Primary | 365 |
| SHEPHERDSTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 358 |
| WRIGHT DENNY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 3–5 | Primary | 354 |
| C. W. SHIPLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 346 |
| SHEPHERDSTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | 6–8 | Middle | 331 |
| Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy | Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy | PK–10 | Charter | 321 |
| RANSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 250 |
| NORTH JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY | JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS | PK–5 | Primary | 223 |
| Virtual Prepatory Academy of WV | Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia | KG–10 | Charter | 217 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,534
State avg $7,773
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Jefferson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Jefferson County?
How much does Jefferson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Jefferson County, West Virginia — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Jefferson County features 18 public schools, including 10 elementary and four middle schools, serving a total of 8,927 students. This growing infrastructure includes two high schools and two specialized programs to accommodate the county's increasing student population.
How do schools in Jefferson County perform academically?
The graduation rate stands at 91.0%, outperforming the national average of 87.0% despite a per-pupil expenditure of $7,534 that trails state and national norms. The county's school score of 55.2 reflects a solid performance baseline relative to the state average of 56.7.
What are the major school districts in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
While Jefferson County Schools manages 16 campuses and 8,389 students, the county also hosts two charter schools representing 11.1% of the total schools. Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy and Virtual Preparatory Academy of West Virginia provide alternative options for over 500 local students.
What is the school experience like in Jefferson County?
Twelve schools operate in rural locales, yet the average school size is a high 496 students due to large consolidated campuses. Jefferson High School leads with 1,444 students, while Washington High School follows closely with 1,328 students.
How can I find homes near good schools in Jefferson County, West Virginia?
Jefferson County offers a unique mix of large-scale high schools and innovative charter options for modern families. Prospective homebuyers often find that the area's strong graduation rates make it a compelling choice for long-term investment.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.