CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — West Virginia public school enrollment continued to decline this year, according to new data released by the West Virginia Department of Education.

The department’s 2025 certified education counts show total public school enrollment at 234,937 students, down from 241,024 the previous year. Officials said the figures represent the official Oct. 1 enrollment snapshot used for staffing and funding purposes statewide.

Of the state’s 55 counties, 51 reported enrollment declines, along with the state’s Virtual Prep Academy. Since the 2021–2022 school year, public school enrollment has dropped by nearly 16,000 students, continuing a trend seen across much of the state.

Charter school enrollment rose from 3,366 last year to 4,243 this year, while non-public school

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