Buckhannon, WV — Upshur County Schools are proud to announce a notable increase in student achievement in both Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA), as reported by the West Virginia Department of Education’s Balanced Scorecard.
According to the data:
Math Achievement has risen from 41.7% in 2022 to 49.67% in 2025, marking a growth of nearly 8 percentage points.
ELA Achievement has increased from 46.2% in 2022 to 53.36% in 2025, reflecting a gain of over 7 percentage points.
This upward trend is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Upshur County’s students, families, and educators. While there is always room for continued growth, these results represent a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to academic excellence.
“This growth is the result of intentional instructional planning, data-driven decision making, and a relentless focus on student learning,” said Tristen Gray, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “Our teachers have embraced high-impact strategies and our students have responded with determination and resilience.” This includes the district-wide implementation of iReady for student benchmarking, which provides teachers with actionable data to tailor instruction to individual student needs. Additionally, the adoption of Ready Math and implementation by teachers has supported a consistent, standards-aligned approach to mathematics instruction across grade levels.
Jody Johnson, Director of Federal Programs, emphasized the role of families in this achievement: “Family engagement has been a cornerstone of our success. When families are involved and informed, students thrive. We’ve worked hard to build strong partnerships that support learning both at school and at home.” The district’s embrace of Rigorous Curriculum Design (RCD) has further strengthened instructional alignment and clarity around learning targets, while the implementation of the 95% Group has provided targeted support for foundational literacy skills, contributing to measurable gains in reading achievement.
The district continues to invest in instructional support, innovative teaching strategies, and community collaboration to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed. This includes investing in platforms like Canvas, a learning management system that allows for personalized learning, real-time feedback, and seamless communication between students, teachers, and families.
This progress is not just a reflection of improved test scores—it’s a reflection of a community united around the success of its children. With continued collaboration between educators, families, and district leadership, Upshur County is building a foundation where every student is present, prepared, and excellent.
The journey is ongoing, but the momentum is undeniable. Upshur County Schools are not only growing—they are thriving.