Scores

 In West Virginia, student test scores on the West Virginia General Summative Assessment (WVGSA) and the state’s Balanced Scorecard framework are reported across four standard achievement performance tiers. Overall, Pocahontas County public school students perform at or slightly above the West Virginia state average in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics.

Statewide vs. Pocahontas County Performance Tiers

West Virginia categorizes student assessment results into four official performance levels (quarters). Listed from highest to lowest:

1. Level 4 — Exceeds Standard

• Criteria: Students demonstrate a thorough, advanced understanding of grade-level content.

• Pocahontas County vs. State: Pocahontas County tracks closely with state baseline percentages in advanced performance, with top-tier math and ELA proficiency generally held by elementary grade levels (such as Hillsboro and Marlinton Elementary).

2. Level 3 — Meets Standard (Proficient Baseline)

• Criteria: Students demonstrate adequate understanding and skills relative to college- and career-readiness standards.

• English Language Arts (ELA):

  • Pocahontas County District: ~49% – 55% proficient

  • WV State Average: ~41% – 55% proficient

• Mathematics:

  • Pocahontas County District: ~45% – 52% proficient

  • WV State Average: ~34% – 51% proficient

3. Level 2 — Partially Meets Standard

• Criteria: Students demonstrate partial understanding and require instructional support to meet full proficiency.

• District Context: According to state Balanced Scorecard reporting, the district as a whole falls within the Partially Meets Standard band overall. Scores in this middle tier are heavily anchored by elementary performance, where 57%–60% of students in schools like Hillsboro Elementary and Marlinton Elementary achieve Level 2 or higher.

4. Level 1 — Does Not Meet Standard

• Criteria: Students demonstrate minimal understanding and require significant intervention.

• High School & Middle School Trends: Secondary schools in the county show higher concentrations of students in this quarter. For instance, Pocahontas County High School tested at approximately 49% ELA and 47% Math proficiency under state targets, placing those grade bands in the bottom half of state performance despite strong district graduation rates (~87%–90%).

Key Takeaways & Comparisons

Metric	Pocahontas County Schools	West Virginia State Average
ELA / Reading Proficiency	49% – 55%	41% – 55%
Math Proficiency	45% – 52%	34% – 51%
National Percentile Rank (Math)	23rd Percentile	~10th Percentile (Rural Peer Avg)
National Percentile Rank (Reading)	27th Percentile	~10th Percentile (Rural Peer Avg)
Graduation Rate	~87% – 90%	~88% – 91%

While test scores dip in the upper grade levels (middle and high school), Pocahontas County consistently outperforms similar rural peer districts across West Virginia in both math and reading growth trajectory.