Charleston, W.Va. (WVDN) – The West Virginia Board of Education (WVBE) recognized six schools as part of the 2026 class of Exemplary Practice Schools during its April meeting in Charleston. This West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) program recognizes schools that illustrate outstanding school practices that positively impact student outcomes. A new designation this year is Attendance Achievement, honoring schools that have implemented successful programs addressing chronic absenteeism.
Delegations from each school attended the meeting to share their strategies with the WVBE, and representatives from the WVDE will travel to the schools to celebrate the accomplishments locally. Additionally, the WVDE provides grants to exemplary school teams to travel and train other educators, enabling them to achieve similar success.
2026 Exemplary Practice Schools – Academics
Crum Pre-K – 8, Wayne County
- Math achievement increased from 15% to 51% over four years.
- School celebration: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1 p.m.
George Washington Middle School, Putnam County
- English language arts proficiency increased 18%, with a 6% gain for students with disabilities, and the school has experienced a 20% reduction in chronic absenteeism.
- School celebration: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
Guyandotte Elementary School, Cabell County
- Reading proficiency increased 17% and math proficiency increased 11% over a one-year period.
- School celebration: To be announced at a later date
2026 Exemplary Practice Schools – Attendance
Jayenne Elementary School, Marion County
- Chronic absenteeism rate decreased from 20.5% in 2024 to 16% in 2025, far exceeding goals and leading to improvements in achievement and behavior.
- School celebration: Thursday, April 30, 2026, 9 a.m.
Huff Consolidated Elementary and Middle School, Wyoming County
- A comprehensive, research-based approach led to the school experiencing a decrease in chronic absenteeism, an increase in ELA proficiency, and improved discipline outcomes.
- School celebration: Monday, April 13, 2026, 1:30 p.m.
Huntington High School, Cabell County
- Chronic absenteeism decreased 12 points with targeted interventions, resulting in an 8% reduction in chronic absenteeism among students with disabilities. This resulted in the exit from Comprehensive Support and Improvement – Additional Targeted Support status on the West Virginia Balanced Scorecard.
- School celebration: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 9:30 a.m.
Details about each school’s progress and strategies are available on the Exemplary Practice Schools page of the WVDE website. Photos of each school delegation are posted on the WVDE’s Flickr album.Members of the Common Ground Partnership joined the West Virginia Board of Education to honor public schools’ continued support of military-connected children as a part of Month of the Military Child.
Month of the Military Child
The WVBE recognized April as the Month of the Military Child, also known as Purple Up Month, celebrating the strength and resiliency military-connected students display during times when family members are deployed.
Research shows these students may move six to nine times during their K-12 education careers. The WVDE and its Common Ground partners address these unique challenges by focusing greater attention on students’ needs.
Activities
- April 20-24, 2026, Military Signing Week honoring students committing to enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces
- April 23, 2026, Purple Up Day, recognizing all branches of the Armed Services
- May 2026 distribution of Purple Star Awards – a three-year recognition of schools and districts for their focus on meeting the unique needs of military-connected students
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- There are 315 Purple Star Schools in West Virginia and 17 Purple Star Districts, with 100% of their schools having received the award within three years.
The Office of Veterans’ Education and Training (OVET) at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission also announced that an application for a new Purple Star Facility recognition program for post-secondary education will become available on Purple Up Day.
To enter the 6th class of Purple Star Award recipients, schools and counties may submit applications through April 27, 2026.
To learn more about the Purple Star Award and the Common Ground Partnership, visit the WVDE website.
Items shared at today’s meeting are available on the WVBE April 8, 2026, meeting calendar page of the WVDE website.
The next regularly scheduled WVBE meeting is 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Building 6, Suite 600, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, West Virginia.
