For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 3,380 students in Nicholas County, WV (there are 2 private schools, serving 173 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Nicholas County, WV are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
The top-ranked public schools in Nicholas County, WV are Mt. Lookout Elementary School, Mt. Nebo Elementary School and Glade Creek Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nicholas County, WV public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the West Virginia public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 42% statewide average). Schools in Nicholas County have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of West Virginia public schools.
Minority enrollment is 2% 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 Nicholas County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mt. Lookout Elementary School
(Math: 70-79% | Reading: 60-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1945 E Mount Lookout Rd
Mount Lookout, WV 26678
(304) 872-2731
Mount Lookout, WV 26678
(304) 872-2731
Gr: PK-5 | 121 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #22.
Mt. Nebo Elementary School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
110 Schoolhouse Ln
Mount Nebo, WV 26679
(304) 872-2440
Mount Nebo, WV 26679
(304) 872-2440
Gr: PK-5 | 105 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #33.
Glade Creek Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
7950 Webster Rd
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-2882
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-2882
Gr: PK-5 | 124 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Panther Creek Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
10068 Canvas Nettie Road
Nettie, WV 26681
(304) 846-6808
Nettie, WV 26681
(304) 846-6808
Gr: PK-5 | 211 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #55.
Summersville Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
108 Mckees Creek Rd
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-1421
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-1421
Gr: PK-5 | 331 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #66.
Gauley River Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
100 School St
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 742-5271
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 742-5271
Gr: PK-5 | 295 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: #77.
Nicholas County High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
30 Grizzley Ln
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-2141
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-2141
Gr: 9-12 | 708 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #88.
Zela Elementary School
(Math: 20-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
165 Country Rd
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-1481
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-1481
Gr: PK-5 | 67 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
Rank: #99.
Cherry River Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
190 Riverside Dr
Richwood, WV 26261
(304) 846-6646
Richwood, WV 26261
(304) 846-6646
Gr: PK-5 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1010.
Richwood High School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
16414 Webster Rd
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 846-2684
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 846-2684
Gr: 9-12 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Birch River Elementary School
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
379 Birch River Rd
Birch River, WV 26610
(304) 649-2651
Birch River, WV 26610
(304) 649-2651
Gr: PK-5 | 64 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
Rank: #1212.
Summersville Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
40 Grizzley Ln
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-5092
Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-5092
Gr: 6-8 | 509 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1313.
Richwood Middle School
(Math: 15% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
16414 Webster Rd
Richwood, WV 26261
(304) 846-2638
Richwood, WV 26261
(304) 846-2638
Gr: 6-8 | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: n/an/a
Nicholas County Career And Technical Center
Vocational School
215 Milam Addition Rd
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 742-3024
Craigsville, WV 26205
(304) 742-3024
Gr: 9-12 | 1 student
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Nicholas County, WV?
The top-ranked public schools in Nicholas County, WV include Mt. Lookout Elementary School, Mt. Nebo Elementary School and Glade Creek Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Nicholas County?
14 public schools are located in Nicholas County.
What percentage of students in Nicholas County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Nicholas County are educated in public schools (compared to the WV state average of 95%).
What is the racial composition of students in Nicholas County?
Nicholas County public schools minority enrollment is 2% 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 Nicholas County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Nicholas County include: Mt. Nebo Elementary School vs. Panther Creek Elementary School, Panther Creek Elementary School vs. Mt. Nebo Elementary School, Nicholas County High School vs. Richwood High School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
