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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Parkersburg Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 7,844 students in Parkersburg, WV (there are 5 private schools, serving 507 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Parkersburg, WV are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%). Parkersburg has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in West Virginia.
The top-ranked public schools in Parkersburg, WV are Criss Elementary School, Gihon Elementary School and Emerson Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Parkersburg, WV public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the West Virginia public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 48% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Parkersburg have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of West Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the West Virginia public school average of 13% (majority Black).

Best Public Schools in Parkersburg, WV (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Criss Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 1%
2800 22nd St
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9522
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Gihon Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
2000 Belmont Rd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9539
Gr: PK-5 | 261 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #33.
Emerson Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1605 36th St
Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 420-9528
Gr: PK-5 | 361 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #44.
Blennerhassett Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
448 Jewell Rd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 863-5128
Gr: PK-5 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Madison Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1426 32nd St
Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 420-9563
Gr: PK-5 | 264 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
Lubeck Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
206 Lubeck Rd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 863-3321
Gr: PK-5 | 381 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #77.
Martin Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1301 Hillcrest St
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9625
Gr: PK-5 | 250 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #88.
Jefferson Elementary Center
(Math: 35% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1103 Plum St
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9554
Gr: PK-5 | 475 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #99.
Hamilton Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3501 Cadillac Dr
Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 420-9547
Gr: 6-8 | 446 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Edison Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1201 Hillcrest St
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9525
Gr: 6-8 | 551 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Parkersburg South High School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1511 Blizzard Dr
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9610
Gr: 9-12 | 1,373 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1212.
Parkersburg High School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2101 Dudley Ave
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9595
Gr: 9-12 | 1,491 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1313.
Blennerhassett Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
444 Jewell Rd
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 863-3356
Gr: 6-8 | 534 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1414.
Fairplains Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
615 Broadway Ave
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9531
Gr: PK-5 | 160 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1515.
Franklin Elementary Center
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1511 Division Street Ext
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9534
Gr: PK-5 | 262 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1616.
Van Devender Middle School
(Math: 13% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
918 31st St
Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 420-9645
Gr: 6-8 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Caperton Center For Applied Technology
Vocational School
212 Technology Dr
Parkersburg, WV 26104
(304) 424-8365
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Summit Success Center
Alternative School
2507 9th Ave
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 893-9737
Gr: K-12
Rank: n/an/a
Wood Co Voc Tech Center
Vocational School
1515 Blizzard Dr
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 420-9501
Gr: 9-12 | 2 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Parkersburg, WV?
The top-ranked public schools in Parkersburg, WV include Criss Elementary School, Gihon Elementary School and Emerson Elementary School. Parkersburg has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranked public schools in West Virginia.
How many public schools are located in Parkersburg?
19 public schools are located in Parkersburg.
What percentage of students in Parkersburg go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Parkersburg are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Parkersburg?
Parkersburg public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the West Virginia public schools average of 13% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Parkersburg are often viewed compared to one another?

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