For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public high schools serving 8,420 students in Kanawha County, WV.
The top-ranked public high schools in Kanawha County, WV are George Washington High School, Saint Albans High School and Herbert Hoover High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Kanawha County, WV public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 25% (versus the West Virginia public high school average of 21%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 47% statewide average). High schools in Kanawha County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of West Virginia public high schools.
Kanawha County, WV public high school have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is less than the West Virginia average of 92%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Sissonville High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in West Virginia or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public high school average of 12% (majority Black).
Best Public High Schools in Kanawha County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
George Washington High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1522 Tennis Club Rd
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-7729
Charleston, WV 25314
(304) 348-7729
Gr: 9-12 | 1,145 student Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Saint Albans High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2100 Kanawha Ter
Saint Albans, WV 25177
(304) 722-0212
Saint Albans, WV 25177
(304) 722-0212
Gr: 9-12 | 882 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #33.
Herbert Hoover High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
775 Husky Way
Elkview, WV 25071
(304) 965-3394
Elkview, WV 25071
(304) 965-3394
Gr: 9-12 | 782 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
Nitro High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1300 Park Ave
Nitro, WV 25143
(304) 755-4321
Nitro, WV 25143
(304) 755-4321
Gr: 9-12 | 818 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #4 - 54. - 5.
South Charleston High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1 Eagle Way
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 766-0352
South Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 766-0352
Gr: 9-12 | 874 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #66.
Sissonville High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6100 Sissonville Dr
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1954
Charleston, WV 25312
(304) 348-1954
Gr: 9-12 | 564 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #77.
Capital High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 Greenbrier St
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-6500
Charleston, WV 25311
(304) 348-6500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,051 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 41%
Rank: #88.
Riverside High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1 Warrior Way
Belle, WV 25015
(304) 348-1996
Belle, WV 25015
(304) 348-1996
Gr: 9-12 | 1,057 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #99.
Kcs Alternative Learning
Alternative School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1900 School St
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-6133
Charleston, WV 25387
(304) 348-6133
Gr: K-12 | 134 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 29%
Rank: n/an/a
Ben Franklin Career Center
Vocational School
500 28th St
Dunbar, WV 25064
(304) 766-0369
Dunbar, WV 25064
(304) 766-0369
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Carver Career Center
Vocational School
4799 Midland Dr
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1965
Charleston, WV 25306
(304) 348-1965
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
West Virginia Virtual Academy
Charter School
3508 Staunton Ave 3rd Floor
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Charleston, WV 25304
(304) 807-9370
Gr: K-12 | 1,654 student Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
Win Academy At Bvctc
Charter School
2001 Union Carbide Drive
South Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 734-6623
South Charleston, WV 25303
(304) 734-6623
Gr: 11-12 | 34 students Minority enrollment: 9%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Kanawha County, WV?
The top-ranked public high schools in Kanawha County, WV include George Washington High School, Saint Albans High School and Herbert Hoover High School.
How many public high schools are located in Kanawha County?
13 public high schools are located in Kanawha County.
What is the racial composition of students in Kanawha County?
Kanawha County public high schools minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the West Virginia public high schools average of 12% (majority Black).
Which public high schools in Kanawha County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Kanawha County include: Saint Albans High School vs. Nitro High School, Nitro High School vs. Saint Albans High School, Sissonville High School vs. South Charleston High School
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