BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — “One of the biggest strengths that we have in the community is the support from our families, and that the community values education. There’s a concentrated effort, and working together is what really makes the difference.”
That statement from Superintendent Christy Miller, highlighted in a new national case study, reflects exactly what is happening across Upshur County Schools today.
Upshur County Schools has been recognized by the Education Recovery Scorecard, an analysis led by researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and Dartmouth, as a “District on the Rise,” with students gaining nearly a full additional grade level in math achievement between 2019 and 2025. This recognition is not based on isolated success stories or small groups of students. It reflects consistent, system-wide growth happening in classrooms across the entire district.
In June 2023, the district entered state intervention following financial management concerns tied to federal pandemic relief funds. While that moment brought understandable concern, it also created an opportunity to refocus, rebuild, and move forward with clarity. The issues that led to intervention were operational but not a reflection of the ability or commitment of Upshur County’s teachers, students, or families to succeed.
Since that time, the work has been steady and intentional. Financial systems have been strengthened, oversight has improved, and attention has remained where it belongs, on student learning. Just as importantly, trust has been rebuilt through transparency and a shared commitment to doing what is right for students and the community.
That focus is now showing up clearly in student outcomes.
Across grade levels, students are demonstrating meaningful academic growth in mathematics. Local and national data show a steady upward trend, including nearly an 8-point increase in math proficiency since 2022 and significant gains at the middle school level. These are not small or temporary improvements. They reflect a deeper shift in instruction, consistency, and expectations across the district.
What makes this progress especially important is that it is reaching students in every school and every classroom. With more than half of Upshur County students coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this kind of growth requires a coordinated, system-wide effort. That is exactly what has taken place, teachers using real-time data to adjust instruction, students receiving targeted support, and families remaining engaged partners in the learning process.
Instructional improvements have played a key role. The implementation of high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum and the use of diagnostic tools to guide teaching decisions have helped ensure that students are not only improving, but building lasting understanding and confidence in mathematics. Combined with ongoing professional support for teachers and a focus on hands-on, meaningful learning, classrooms across Upshur County are seeing the impact every day.
Upshur County Schools future Superintendent, Tim Derico, said the district’s progress reflects both strong teaching and responsible leadership.
“Upshur County Schools is clearly moving in the right direction. We are seeing meaningful growth in student achievement across our classrooms, while also strengthening the financial responsibility and accountability that our taxpayers rightfully expect. Our focus remains on doing what’s best for students while being good stewards of the resources entrusted to us.”
That balance, academic growth paired with fiscal responsibility, continues to guide the work moving forward.
The story of Upshur County Schools over the past three years is ultimately one of resilience and direction. It is about a community that faced a challenge, came together, and stayed focused on what matters most. Today, that focus is paying off in classrooms, in student achievement, and in a growing confidence about what lies ahead.