Southside K-8

McDowell County Schools
13509 Rocket Boy Drive
War, WV 24892
266 Students
Elementary School Pre-K - 8th
School Overview
Southside K-8, located on Rocket Boys Drive in War, West Virginia, serves as a focal point for education in McDowell County. As a K-8 institution, it provides a foundational learning environment for students ranging from elementary through middle school grades. The school is situated in a region historically shaped by the coal industry, and its location carries a unique cultural significance, as the town of War is famously associated with the memoir *Rocket Boys* (also known as *October Sky*), which highlights the aspirations and challenges of students in this corner of Appalachia.

Because of its remote location in the Appalachian mountains, the school plays a vital role in community life beyond academics. Like many schools in this district, Southside K-8 emphasizes providing consistent educational support and social resources to students in an area that has faced long-term economic transitions. It remains a key institution for the town of War, striving to foster growth and academic development for the local youth as they navigate their formative years.
266
Total Students
22.0
Full-Time Teachers
12.1
Student/Teacher Ratio
N/A
Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Demographics
  • White
    248 (93.2%)
  • Black
    9 (3.4%)
  • Two or More
    8 (3.0%)
  • American Indian
    1 (0.4%)
School Location
School Details
Status: Open
School Level: Elementary School
School Type: Regular School
Charter Status:* Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction: Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status: No
District: McDowell County Schools
Phone: (304)875-2283
Website: http://boe.mcdo.k12.wv.us/o/southside
Grade Range: Pre-K - 8th
Total Students: 266
Full-Time Teachers (FTE): 22.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 12.1
NSLP Participation:1 Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch: 0
Qualified Reduced Lunch: 0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

1 National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught
Pre-Kindergarten 30
Kindergarten 24
Grade 1 26
Grade 2 30
Grade 3 33
Grade 4 27
Grade 5 22
Grade 6 24
Grade 7 27
Grade 8 23
Gender Ratio
Nearby Elementary Schools (Within 10 Miles)
Bradshaw Elementary School
McDowell County Schools
214 Students
660 Mountaineer Highway
Bradshaw, WV 24817 (8.0 miles away)
Elementary School Pre-K - 5th