McDowell County School District operates 64 schools (grades PK–12). Individual school names, addresses, and attendance zone boundaries are available directly from the district.
| Metric | McDowell County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 33,000 | 3,700 | ↑ Larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 64 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,500/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | ≈ Near avg |
| District Type | Urban | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 1/10 — Poor | — | Near average |
- Kimball Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 164 students
- McDowell Career & Technology Center — Grades 9–12 · 0 students
- Welch Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 189 students
- Sandy River Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 240 students
- Mount View High School — Grades 6–12 · 521 students
- Iaeger Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 201 students
- Fall River Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 112 students
- Bradshaw Elementary School — Grades PK–5 · 214 students
- Southside K-8 — Grades PK–8 · 266 students
- River View High School — Grades 9–12 · 405 students
- Coalfield Elementary School — Grades · 0 students
- John Adams Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 740 students
- Elkview Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 621 students
- Sissonville Middle School — Grades 5–8 · 521 students
- Andrew Jackson Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 488 students
- Hayes Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 464 students
- Du Pont Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 440 students
- Horace Mann Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 385 students
- West Side Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 374 students
- South Davy Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 354 students
- Dunbar Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 325 students
- McKinley Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 255 students
- East Bank Middle School — Grades 6–8 · 227 students
- George Washington High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,145 students
- Riverside High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,057 students
- Capital High School — Grades 9–12 · 1,051 students
- Saint Albans High School — Grades 9–12 · 882 students
- South Davy High School — Grades 9–12 · 874 students
- Nitro High School — Grades 9–12 · 818 students
- Herbert Hoover High School — Grades 9–12 · 782 students
- Sissonville High School — Grades 9–12 · 564 students
- KCS Alternative Learning — Grades K–12 · 134 students
About McDowell County School District
McDowell County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 24828 in Davy, West Virginia. Serving students from K–12, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 24828. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Funding and Resources
McDowell County School District reports per-pupil expenditure of approximately $12,500 per year, placing it near the West Virginia state average of approximately $12,500 and near the national average nationally (U.S. average: $13,700/year). Near-average districts typically provide core academic programs with adequate staffing, though program breadth may be more limited than in higher-funded systems. Per-pupil spending directly affects teacher compensation, class sizes, elective course offerings, technology access, and the depth of student support services — making it one of the most meaningful structural indicators of district capacity.
District Scale and Program Breadth
With 10 schools, McDowell County School District operates as a mid-sized district serving students from K–12. The district enrolls approximately 2,537 students in total. Mid-sized districts strike a balance between community-scale relationships and sufficient program breadth. Most offer core academic tracks, basic extracurricular programs, and adequate student support services.
Understanding the 1/10 Rating
McDowell County School District has earned an overall SchoolDistrictFinder rating of 1/10, placing it in the low-rated tier. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in the U.S. Department of Education’s EDFacts collection. We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because West Virginia is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
McDowell County School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in West Virginia on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 24828
Children in zip code 24828 are assigned to McDowell County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades K–12. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 24828, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact McDowell County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of residency (lease or deed plus a utility bill), your child’s birth certificate, current immunization records, and prior school records. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — West Virginia districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Davy
School district quality is one of the most consistent factors in residential home pricing. Because McDowell County School District serves zip code 24828, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 24828. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In West Virginia, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support McDowell County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 24828.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with McDowell County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 24828 data.