Virtual Charter School Data Show Low But Improving Scores 

As charter schools enter their third year of operation in West Virginia, student achievement data is now available from the first two years. 

Professional Charter School Board Executive Director James Paul presented the board’s annual report to an interim meeting of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability Sunday.

The report includes state assessment results in math, English language arts and science that showed students in virtual charter schools scoring below the average for state public schools.

Of the students at West Virginia Virtual Academy, 14 percent were rated proficient on the state’s math assessment, while 36 percent were proficient in English language arts and 15 percent were proficient in science. At the Virtual Prep Academy, 20 percent of students were proficient in math, 34 percent were proficient in English language arts and 14 percent were proficient in science.

The average proficiency rates across the state, according to data from ZoomWV are: 36 percent proficiency in math, 45 percent proficiency in English language arts and 29 percent proficiency in science.

Paul says he believes that’s due in part because students that opt into virtual learning begin with lower average achievement.

“It’s why, certainly, I’d like to see these numbers increase. I’m pleased that they’re increasing from year one to year two, but this is something certainly that we’ll continue to watch closely.”

Of the close to 3,400 students enrolled in charter schools in the state, more than 80 percent attend a virtual charter school.

Brick and mortar charter schools fared better, with data from two physical public charter schools meeting or exceeding the state average proficiency. Students at West Virginia Academy in Morgantown averaged 40 percent proficiency in math, 55 percent proficiency in English language arts and 54 percent proficiency in science. Students at Eastern Panhandle Prep in Jefferson County averaged 40 percent proficiency in math, 50 percent proficiency in English language arts, and 28 percent proficiency in science.

Paul also reported on the status of a school that chose to relinquish its charter.

“This was Nitro Prep Academy, which was originally authorized to open to serve students in Kanawha and Putnam counties,” he said. “This school was actually originally authorized as early as 2022 but they had problems identifying a facility for multiple years.”

There has been renewed discussion in recent weeks about allowing public charter schools access to state School Building Authority funds to help ease startup costs and facilitate the purchase of facilities.

In his presentation, Paul also reported that a public charter school focused on business, the Mecca Business Learning Institute, has been authorized to open in Berkeley County in the fall of 2025. Another charter school in the Morgantown area – the Wisdom Academy – is continuing its application process after initially being rejected by the board last year. 
Legislators asked several questions of Paul pertaining to the assessment data and instructional practices, before moving on to the promulgation of rules and amendments. Three rules were recommended by the commission without discussion.