Education
Excellence in Education
Putnam County, WV Public Schools
Putnam County Schools ranked among the top three in West Virginia and the highest in the Advantage Valley region, serves over 9,700 students in various schools. and offers exceptional academic programs. The district’s Putnam Career & Technical Education Center (PCTC) provides advanced pre-engineering, cybersecurity, and law training.
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Public School System
PCS is home to over 9,700 students and 23 schools comprised of 14 elementary schools, four middle and high schools, and one Career & Technical Center.
The 23 schools within the PCS district include the following prestigious titles and school acknowledgments:
- Five National Blue-Ribbon Schools
- 16 West Virginia Schools of Excellence
- A National Title I Distinguished School
- A Premier Career & Technical Center
- A WV Model Site for Simulated Workplace
- Putnam County students are National Merit Scholarship finalists
Putnam County Schools (PCS) employs over 1,200 individuals dedicated to student support and achievement, and is proud to be the home of 47 National Board Certified Teachers.
Putnam County high schools and the Putnam Career & Technical Center offer dual credit programs, enabling students to easily earn college credits while still in high school.
According to the West Virginia Department of Education, Putnam County Schools (PCS) ranks among the top districts in the state for professional and service employee salary schedules, with starting salaries for teachers at #3, average teacher salaries at #2, and average salaries for service employees at #5.
In 2021, Rock Branch Elementary (RBE) was named one of three National Blue Ribbon Schools in the state by the U.S. Department of Education, becoming the fifth school within the district to receive this prestigious national honor.
Career & Technical Education
Putnam Career & Technical Education Center is an asset to Putnam County. Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, PCTC is one of the highest-ranked career and technical centers in West Virginia. PCTC prides itself on providing not only traditional technical education but also more professional opportunities such as a pre-engineering program, a cybersecurity program, law and public safety, and a teacher training program. PCTC has also won several awards in VEX robotics, Explore: The New Manufacturing, Skills USA, and HOSA.
Putnam Career & Technical Center was honored as a SkillsUSA National Model of Excellence, achieving a prestigious 3rd place ranking in the country for this distinction.
Comprehensive Higher Education & Workforce Development
Nearby institutions like BridgeValley, Mountwest, Marshall University, West Virginia State University, and the University of Charleston enhance the district. They support workforce development through programs like Learn & Earn, customized training, and the West Virginia Invest initiative.
Educational Resources
The West Virginia Community & Technical College System offers Learn & Earn, an opportunity for you to hire Associate degree students in their field of study and be reimbursed for half their wage. Learn & Earn can be utilized at any West Virginia Community and Technical College. We would be happy to connect you with a local Community and Technical College. Learn more here.
West Virginia’s Community and Technical College System partners with industry state-wide to deliver customized training solutions. More information can be found here.
West Virginia Invests is a program for all Community and Technical Colleges in West Virginia. For in-demand degrees, qualifying individuals can receive free associate’s degree. Learn more here.
The BridgeValley Community and Technical College Ascend Grant covers several additional fees that WV Invest does not cover. BridgeValley received a federal grant to cover fees, books, and other expenses a student might incur.