“Wood County Schools will be a world class school system which prepares students to achieve success in their careers, communities and personal lives.” This is the vision for Mid-Ohio Valley public schools which was adopted by the Board of Education in 1997.
The Board, consisting of five elected members, directs all 28 public schools and two technical centers within the County.
The Valley’s educational system strives for excellence and monitors and reports academic results to a supportive community. The curriculum from Kindergarten through Grade 12 uses the state’s instructional goals and objectives to design innovative academic programs and to select quality teaching materials.
In addition to the core academic subjects, area educators also stress process and workplace skills in problem solving, communication, working with others, technology, self-management, and career development.
Instructional technology exposes students to diverse media by integrating textbooks with computer programs, data bases, and video and audio demonstrations.
Children in Kindergarten and First Grade participate in the Governor’s Basic Skills Computer Education Program. Computer education continues throughout their school experience.
School/Match, an Ohio firm that helps corporate employees find schools that match the needs of their children, has presented the “What Parents Want Award” to Wood County Schools for six consecutive years. Only 15% of the nation’s 15,620 public school districts qualify for this honor.
“Wood County Schools is a great school system. We have benefited from strong community support and involvement. School-business partnership programs and support of excess levies and bond programs are typical of this community. Instructional and administrative staff provide well-maintained classrooms with up-to-date teaching techniques,” says Superintendent William Niday.
"Technology is a priority in all schools. Teachers and parents have input into the management of schools through site-based faculty senates and local school improvement councils," Niday declares.
Public schools are financed by real and personal property taxes. State aid is distributed by a formula based on size, growth, minimum needs, and the amount of local financial aid.
Bus transportation is provided for all students who live two or more miles from school and a nutritionally balanced meal program serves more than a million breakfasts and lunches annually.
For more than 15 years, the Partnership in Education Program has linked area businesses with all county schools. The success of this program has been recognized by the State Education Alliance with a Golden Achievement Award. Original sponsors were the Education Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley and the West Virginia Education Fund.
An extensive adult education program is offered by the public schools.
Parkersburg has several Christian schools.
The Roman Catholic Elementary School was established in 1856 and is located at 810 Juliana St. in downtown Parkersburg. Enrollment is approximately 220, and it offers extracurricular basketball and track.
The Catholic High School, located at 3201 Fairview Ave., graduated its first class in 1955. It has a student-teacher ratio of 15-1 and features a number of team sports for boys and girls.
The North Christian School at 3109 Emerson Ave. has recently completed a new, air-conditioned facility with gymnasium and cafeteria. It is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International and offers a Bible-centered curriculum for grades K-9.