In a Social Media post by the West Virginia State Treasurers’s the top 10 counties for Hope Scholarship Participation 2025-2026 school year were posted showing Calhoun as 9th highest in the State. These counties have the highest percentage of Hope Scholarship applications compared to public school enrollment.
It leads to the question of “Why?”
Why are so many families opting out on the public education system in Calhoun County, and a deeper question is “Why is the Calhoun County School Board not asking that question?”
According to statistics posted by Schooldigger.com, which ranks Schools nationwide, Calhoun Middle High School ranks 111th out of 112 in West Virginia Schools. Ridgeview News has questioned School Administration in previous years, as Calhoun Middle High School has continually ranked in the lowest numbers, and each year the blame was laid at feet of the students with Administration stating the issue being that students didn’t take testing serious when it had nothing to do with their school grades. Never holding themselves accountable.
Calhoun’s Elementary Schools, both Pleasant Hill and Arnoldsburg, hold respectable rankings each year. It’s interesting that the School train goes off the rail when students begin Middle School. Could there possibly be a correlation? Could there also be a correlation between the State wide rankings, the denial of accountability and the fact that Calhoun ranks so high in parents opting to use the Hope Scholarship? Or, is there a need to delve deeper into Calhoun Middle High School Administration and staffing?
Ridgeview News stopped covering Board meetings when the Calhoun Board of Education made it apparent that they were merely a rubber stamp for the Superintendent of Schools, parent concerns were ignored, extracurricular events had more foul language and fights than a Saturday night beer joint, complaints were ignored, those desiring to make a positive change were silenced and a teacher facing felony charges lead to more questions about how long the school has ignored very serious matters. Plenty of conversations were being held in the community, but it seemed that none were happening where a difference could be made.
RANKINGS FROM SCHOOLDIGGER.COM
Pleasant Hill School
Public PK, KG-4
Rank: 95th of 355
Students: 152
Arnoldsburg School
Public PK, KG-4
Rank: 140th of 355
Students: 139
Calhoun Middle/High School
Public 5-12
Rank: 110th of 111
Students: 498
Comments on this post are encouraged. Detailed issues being made known will help other parents realize that they’re not alone. As a new school year is on the horizon the number of enrollment losses will likely continue. As for the comments, this is not an invitation to trash faculty. It’s an opportunity to respectfully state an issue, make it known and make the community aware that as a community we will no longer allow students to suffer the consequences of an Educational Institution’s failures.
