SOUTHSIDE K-8

SOUTHSIDE K-8 is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the McDowell County Schools school district, located in WAR, WV with about 394 students offering grade levels from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 32 teachers, SOUTHSIDE K-8 has a student/teacher ratio of about 12:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

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.

For more information, contact SOUTHSIDE K-8 at (304) 875-2283 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.