West Virginia Faces Decline in Public School Enrollment

West Virginia, August 16, 2025

News Summary

West Virginia is experiencing a significant drop in public school enrollment, leading to school closures statewide. From 2020 to 2024, enrollment decreased by over 16,000 students or 6.3%. The resulting financial strain on schools arises from a funding structure reliant on student numbers. Contributing factors include a shrinking population, lower birth rate, and alternative education options such as homeschool and charter schools. In light of these trends, the state’s educational landscape is changing, prompting concerns about the future of public schooling.

Charleston, West Virginia – West Virginia is facing a steep decline in public school enrollment, resulting in the closure of schools across the state. From 2020 to 2024, the state lost over 16,000 students, translating to a 6.3% decline during this period. Enrollment figures dropped from 263,486 students in fiscal year 2020 to 246,883 by 2024. This trend in West Virginia is one of the highest in the United States, distinct from the national average decrease of 1.28 million students, or approximately 2.5% in public school enrollment.

Public school funding in West Virginia is predominantly based on student enrollment statistics, creating financial challenges as enrollment numbers decline. The state provides around $6,000 per pupil in state aid, which is affected directly by decreasing numbers of students. This funding structure puts additional strain on schools that are forced to operate with fewer resources.

Several factors contribute to this enrollment decline, including West Virginia’s shrinking overall population, a lower birth rate, and the increasing prevalence of home schooling and charter schools. These alternatives to traditional public education are appealing to many families, leading to further reductions in student populations.

The West Virginia Department of Education reported that 21 schools were closed in the last year, nearly double the average closures seen over the past five years. Among the affected schools, DuPont Middle School will absorb most of the students from the recently closed East Bank school, despite notable community opposition to these consolidations. The state maintains an ideal school occupancy rate of around 85%; however, occupancy rates in the 50% range can trigger difficult decisions about school closures.

Schools that were shut down were located in various counties, including Harrison, Kanawha, Nicholas, Preston, Tyler, Wetzel, Wood, and Clay. It’s important to note that while the decline in enrollment has been ongoing, it has accelerated due to the COVID-19 pandemic as many families have opted for alternative education paths.

Additionally, the introduction of the open enrollment program and the Hope Scholarship education voucher program has also played a role in the decrease of public school enrollment. These initiatives provide parents with more options for educating their children outside of the public school system.

West Virginia University (WVU) is experiencing similar enrollment issues, with its incoming freshman class falling about 200 students short of projections. Despite these reductions in enrollment, WVU has reported improved retention rates for freshmen, currently at 83.4%, with increased four and six-year graduation rates observed in recent years. University officials are actively exploring strategies to counter these enrollment challenges while working to retain existing students amid fluctuating financial dynamics.

In conclusion, West Virginia’s public school system is confronting a significant challenge due to marked declines in student enrollment. The implications of these trends include school closures, financial strain, and shifts in educational options for families across the state.

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Additional Resources

• WCHS TV: Enrollment Drop Results in Loss of Funding Consolidation and School Closings in WVA
• Wikipedia: Education in West Virginia
• News and Sentinel: West Virginia Sees Largest Drops in Student Enrollment in the Nation
• Google Search: West Virginia public school enrollment decline
• WV Metro News: WVU’s Enrollment is Down but Not an Emergency
• Google Scholar: West Virginia school funding
• Post-Gazette: WVU Enrollment Decreases
• Encyclopedia Britannica: West Virginia education
• The Real WV: West Virginia’s Public School Enrollment Plummets
• Google News: West Virginia school closures