Welch Elementary School

Summary:

Welch Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-5 in Welch, West Virginia, a small town in the southern part of the state. The school is part of the McDowell County Schools district, which is ranked 55 out of 55 districts in the state and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Welch Elementary has seen a steady decline in its statewide ranking over the past decade, going from 392 out of 392 elementary schools in 2017-2018 to 362 out of 368 in the current 2023-2024 school year. The school has a higher percentage of White students (75.91%) and African American students (16.82%) compared to nearby schools, and it consistently underperforms the state and district averages in mathematics, English language arts, and science proficiency across all grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 26.7% of 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to 53.2% statewide. Welch Elementary also ranks very low for its performance with specific student subgroups, such as Special Education students (183 out of 183 in the state) and Low Socioeconomic Status students (329 out of 336).

Despite spending more per student ($13,978 in 2018-2019) than the state average, Welch Elementary's academic struggles persist. In contrast, some nearby schools in the same district, such as Fall River Elementary School and Mullens Elementary School, perform significantly better on state assessments, suggesting that factors beyond just district-level policies may be at play. Addressing the unique challenges faced by Welch Elementary will require a comprehensive approach that considers the school's demographic makeup, socioeconomic factors, and the broader educational landscape in the region.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1235 Stewart St
       Welch, WV  24801-2135


(304) 436-4645

District: McDowell County Schools

SchoolDigger Rank:
362nd of 368 West Virginia Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,978 Help


Students who attend Welch Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Mount View High School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.7 Help
Number of students:  216

Racial breakdown:

White:
75.9%
African American:
13.4%
Two or more races:
9.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  61.8% Help


 See top rated West Virginia elementary schools

 Compare Welch Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Welch Elementary School ranks worse than 98.4% of elementary schools in West Virginia. It also ranks last among 6 ranked elementary schools in the McDowell County Schools District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.36. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (75.9%), African American (13.4%), two or more races (9.3%). (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Welch Elementary School is 12.7. 3 elementary schools in the McDowell County Schools District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Welch Elementary School employs 17 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Welch Elementary School is $13,978. 4 elementary schools in the McDowell County Schools District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Welch Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Welch Elementary School 362nd of 368 West Virginia public elementary schools. (See Welch Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Special Education students:
Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


McDowell County Schools:

SchoolDigger ranks McDowell County Schools 55th of 55 West Virginia school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Welch Elementary School

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Rank History for all students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2009 16.90 401st 420 4.5%
2010 8.26 424th 427 0.7%
2011 13.96 414th 426 2.8%
2012 14.96 407th 426 4.5%
2013 16.73 407th 428 4.9%
2014 5.21 421st 422 0.2%
2015 4.63 404th 408 1.0%
2016 5.99 399th 402 0.7%
2017 7.83 393rd 399 1.5%
2018 4.86 392nd 392 0.0%
2019 8.27 380th 383 0.8%
2021 10.38 376th 380 1.1%
2022 12.31 366th 375 2.4%
2023 20.49 319th 368 13.3%
2024 10.36 362nd 368 1.6%
See the entire list of West Virginia Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for Multi-racial students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 39.85 147th 218 32.6%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Multi-racial Students!

Rank History for Special Education students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 34.46 273rd 377 27.6%
2018 24.87 228th 258 11.6%
2019 30.09 140th 185 24.3%
2024 8.50 183rd 183 0.0%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for Low Socio Economic Status students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 9.56 374th 382 2.1%
2018 9.87 364th 368 1.1%
2021 10.66 335th 335 0.0%
2022 16.17 334th 347 3.7%
2023 23.26 300th 333 9.9%
2024 12.59 329th 336 2.1%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for Female students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 6.68 378th 381 0.8%
2018 6.66 366th 366 0.0%
2019 15.98 321st 339 5.3%
2021 16.23 312th 322 3.1%
2022 18.25 303rd 325 6.8%
2023 27.29 259th 317 18.3%
2024 15.07 297th 316 6.0%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for Disabled students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 48.22 66th 146 54.8%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for Male students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 16.51 366th 382 4.2%
2018 7.56 362nd 364 0.5%
2019 6.23 336th 338 0.6%
2021 13.02 326th 333 2.1%
2022 11.04 324th 330 1.8%
2023 12.12 313th 322 2.8%
2024 6.66 323rd 325 0.6%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for African American students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 27.55 153rd 187 18.2%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for African American Students!

Rank History for Hispanic students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 20.09 148th 156 5.1%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for Hispanic Students!

Rank History for White students at Welch Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools WV State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2017 9.82 376th 382 1.6%
2018 5.42 374th 374 0.0%
2019 8.62 371st 373 0.5%
2021 9.70 373rd 376 0.8%
2022 14.62 355th 373 4.8%
2023 27.20 299th 366 18.3%
2024 12.52 353rd 367 3.8%
See the entire list of Best West Virginia Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: West Virginia Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Welch Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 





Data source: West Virginia Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Welch Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1989 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 432 432
1990 372 70 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 443
1991 340 86 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 429
1992 332 81 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 414
1993 338 81 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 420
1994 384 88 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 473
1995 363 92 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1996 363 92 3 1 0 n/a n/a 0 459
1997 346 96 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 445
1998 304 87 1 2 0 n/a n/a 0 394
1999 291 96 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 389
2000 270 98 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 369
2001 277 92 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 369
2002 226 67 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 293
2003 226 67 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 293
2004 206 59 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 265
2005 203 54 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 257
2006 219 79 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 299
2007 236 79 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 318
2008 254 84 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 340
2009 248 76 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 326
2010 242 85 2 0 0 0 3 0 332
2011 226 78 2 1 0 0 5 0 312
2012 242 79 1 1 1 0 10 0 334
2013 249 65 0 0 1 0 15 0 330
2014 228 67 0 1 0 0 18 0 314
2015 256 52 0 1 0 0 20 0 329
2016 258 42 0 4 0 0 20 0 324
2017 241 34 0 3 0 0 14 0 292
2018 242 33 0 1 0 0 16 0 292
2019 250 42 0 0 0 0 19 0 311
2020 216 34 0 0 0 0 17 0 267
2021 195 26 0 3 0 0 9 0 233
2022 186 31 0 3 0 0 11 0 231
2023 167 37 0 3 0 0 13 0 220
2024 164 29 0 3 0 0 20 0 216

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Welch Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 432 26.0 16.6 n/a
1990 443 28.0 15.8 50.3
1991 429 28.0 15.3 50.3
1992 414 27.0 15.3 56.3
1993 420 27.0 15.6 54.3
1994 473 29.0 16.3 64.7
1995 459 29.0 15.8 73.6
1996 459 29.0 15.8 73.6
1997 445 28.0 15.9 72.1
1998 394 26.0 15.2 76.6
1999 389 24.0 16.2 81
2000 369 28.0 13.2 84.8
2001 369 25.0 14.8 87.8
2002 293 22.0 13.3 88.1
2003 293 22.0 13.3 88.1
2004 265 20.0 13.3 87.2
2005 257 19.3 13.3 88.3
2006 299 21.3 14.0 87.6
2007 318 20.3 15.7 85.5
2008 340 20.3 16.7 83.8
2009 326 20.3 16.1 79.8
2010 332 20.3 16.3 84.3
2011 312 23.5 13.2 78.5
2012 334 26.3 12.6 87.4
2013 330 21.3 15.4 86.7
2014 314 25.8 12.1 n/a
2015 329 26.0 12.6 54.1
2016 324 23.0 14.0 63.9
2017 292 22.0 13.2 54.8
2018 292 22.0 13.2 87.3
2019 311 20.9 14.8 68.5
2020 267 21.8 12.2 79.8
2021 233 20.8 11.1 61.8
2022 231 19.8 11.6 n/a
2023 220 19.6 11.2 n/a
2024 216 17.0 12.7 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Welch Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1989 432 26.0 16.6 n/a
1990 443 28.0 15.8 50.3
1991 429 28.0 15.3 50.3
1992 414 27.0 15.3 56.3
1993 420 27.0 15.6 54.3
1994 473 29.0 16.3 64.7
1995 459 29.0 15.8 73.6
1996 459 29.0 15.8 73.6
1997 445 28.0 15.9 72.1
1998 394 26.0 15.2 76.6
1999 389 24.0 16.2 81
2000 369 28.0 13.2 84.8
2001 369 25.0 14.8 87.8
2002 293 22.0 13.3 88.1
2003 293 22.0 13.3 88.1
2004 265 20.0 13.3 87.2
2005 257 19.3 13.3 88.3
2006 299 21.3 14.0 87.6
2007 318 20.3 15.7 85.5
2008 340 20.3 16.7 83.8
2009 326 20.3 16.1 79.8
2010 332 20.3 16.3 84.3
2011 312 23.5 13.2 78.5
2012 334 26.3 12.6 87.4
2013 330 21.3 15.4 86.7
2014 314 25.8 12.1 n/a
2015 329 26.0 12.6 54.1
2016 324 23.0 14.0 63.9
2017 292 22.0 13.2 54.8
2018 292 22.0 13.2 87.3
2019 311 20.9 14.8 68.5
2020 267 21.8 12.2 79.8
2021 233 20.8 11.1 61.8
2022 231 19.8 11.6 n/a
2023 220 19.6 11.2 n/a
2024 216 17.0 12.7 n/a

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Welch Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $3,277 (23.4%) $10,701 (76.6%) $13,978

Data source: West Virginia Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Welch Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 380th of 383 Elementary schoolsRanks 319th of 368 Elementary schools
 12.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade Mathematics (Welch Elementary School)25.651.7
 26.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (McDowell County Schools)4044.1
 4.1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (West Virginia)50.951.6
 0.7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Welch Elementary School)28.227.6
 0.6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (McDowell County Schools)36.122.4
 13.7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (West Virginia)4439.9
 4.1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Welch Elementary School)16.227.3
 11.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (McDowell County Schools)29.925.8
 4.1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (West Virginia)47.345.7
 1.6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Welch Elementary School)35.124.2
 10.9%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (McDowell County Schools)34.629
 5.6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (West Virginia)48.844.2
 4.5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Welch Elementary School)2.424
 21.6%
   5th Grade Mathematics (McDowell County Schools)27.620.1
 7.5%
   5th Grade Mathematics (West Virginia)4038.1
 1.9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Welch Elementary School)19.128
 9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (McDowell County Schools)3430.4
 3.6%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (West Virginia)47.244.3
 2.9%
5th Grade Science (Welch Elementary School)19.116
 3%
   5th Grade Science (McDowell County Schools)21.713.7
 8%
   5th Grade Science (West Virginia)35.430.8
 4.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students311220
 29.3%
African American4237
 11.9%
American Indian00
Asian00
Hispanic03
Pacific Islander00
White250167
 33.2%
Two or More Races1913
 31.6%


Schools Near Welch Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Welch Elementary School

Welch Elementary School ranks in the bottom 1.6% of West Virginia elementary schools.

Students who attend Welch Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Mount View High School

Students at Welch Elementary School are 76% White, 13% African American, 9% Two or more races, 1% Hispanic.

In the 2023-24 school year, 216 students attended Welch Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the West Virginia Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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