Kanawha County Schools

About Kanawha County Schools

Kanawha County Schools (KCS) is the largest school system in West Virginia. The district serves over 25,300 students, representing the region's diverse socioeconomic mix. KCS is comprised of 43 elementary schools, 13 middle schools and one alternative center, eight high schools and one alternative center, two career and technical education centers, one adult center, and two community education centers. The Kanawha County School System is dedicated to providing a world-class education that ensures success for every student in the 21st century. KCS serves students located across 913.38 square miles.

What You Should Know About Kanawha County Schools, WV

Mission Statement

Kanawha County Schools will provide a world-class education system that ensures all students are college and career ready for today and beyond.

We Believe

• All students can achieve.

• Quality teaching is the key to student success with consistent student and teacher engagement in the school and in classroom activities.

• Effective leadership skills are essential for creating and maintaining effective schools for current and future learners.

• Schools, parents, and communities must be partners in learning.

• Schools must be safe and caring places.

• All teachers must be teachers of literacy skills, including literacy in technology.

• Students and teachers must be prepared for life-long learning in a global society.

Goals

Goal 1 - Provide a Safe and Healthy Environment

Description: Kanawha County Schools will promote a safe and healthy environment for all students by incorporating effective support services to increase attendance rates by 3% for 2018-2019 school year.

Goal 2 - Increase Academic Achievement

Description: Student Achievement will increase on formative assessments and state summative assessments by 3% annually. Growth in Student Academic Achievement will be measured by: 3% growth on the state summative assessments in ELA and Mathematics, 3% growth on SAT for 11th grade students, 85% of EL students will make sufficient gains to move from one proficiency level to the next proficiency level on the ELPA-21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment). 90% Proficiency on the End of Year DIBELS Benchmark Assessment.

Goal 3 - Increase the Four-Year Graduation Rate

Description: Kanawha County Schools will raise the graduate rate by 2% per year until it exceeds the state average.

Other Facts

(Note:  The following information is as of 2018.)

Academic Achievement

• 5  years increased graduation rate
• Decreased drop out rate over the last 5 years

Our Students

• 26,230  students in 67 schools
• 18% minority students
• 51% students with an economic disadvantage
• 18% students served by special education
• 520 gifted students
• 4163 students with other exceptionalities

Our Dedicated Team

• 3,657 total employees
• 100%  of teachers participate in state of the art professional development 
• 44% teachers hold a master's degree or higher
• 100 employees with National Board Certification

Preparing Students For Success

• In the Class of 2018
  • 388 Promise Scholarship recipients
  • 2018 SAT test - juniors exceeded state scores in reading/writing/math
  • 11 National Merit finalists
  • 2 National Merit semi-finalists
  • 63% of KCS seniors completed the FAFSA exceeding the state average
  • 1 of the 2 United States Presidential Scholars from WV
  • 56% of students taking AP tests scored well enough to earn college credit

Ready for the Workforce

• 68 Dual Credit courses offered countywide, allowing for college credit to be earned
• 410 CTE program completers in 2018

Technology Leaders

• 4 full time Learning 20/20 Tech Integration Coaches
• 1 to 1 iPads in grades 5-12 countywide
• Technology & Learning Survey - Of more than 2500 districts in the nation using this survey, our technology for teaching & learning use results were better than the national average in every category

Safe Schools

• 100% of staff with ALICE Intruder Training
• 100% of schools with new carbon monoxide detectors
• 100% of schools with a redundant, extra emergency radio
• 100% of classrooms with emergency procedures flip book

Energy Efficiency

• 17 million in cost savings
  • 14% electricity, 43% gas, 25% water
• 90,000 energy saving lights
• 75 energy efficient boilers
• From 2007 to 2017 - 45 million in energy related improvements, innovations and conservations with 32 million going to HVAC

Addressing Challenges

• 100% of students will receive "Too Good for Drugs" Curriculum
• 100% of school administrators trained in "Trauma Informed Care"

Transportation and Food Services

• Our bus drivers operate 194 buses and they transport 24,7000 students and travel 18,000 miles daily.
• KCS Transportation named top national "Safety Superstar" by the School Bus Safety Company
• 30,700 meals served daily (breakfast and lunch)
• 100%couny Romaine and tomatoes locally sourced
• Districtwide service medals for Healthier US School Challenge

Community Connections

• Partnerships - Support Our Schools across Every Community

Economic Efficiencies

• Good steward of taxpayer dollars
• General Fund Revenue
  • State - 55%
  • Excess Levy - 19%
  • Regular Levy - 24%
  • Local - 2%
• General fund Uses
  • Regular/Special/Voc Ed - 59%
  • Support Services - 38%
  • Other - 3%
• Balanced budget despite decreased enrollment and state funding decrease
• No audit findings
• Cost savings