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Criss Elementary ranks highest in Wood County for state testing

By Sophie Wheeler 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Criss Elementary held a special assembly on Thursday afternoon, celebrating its record breaking state testing results and the school’s legacy before its upcoming closure featuring guest speakers; Sen. Jim Justice with Babydog and West Virginia State Delegate Vernon Criss.

Principal Adam Shaffer said the assembly was in part of their farewell tour, and said the Criss family reached out to organize a celebration for the school's high test scores and performance.

"I think it really comes down to we really have a strong team of people that love what they do. They see the potential in these students, and they push them because they know their true potential. We have a really strong community and family members that help us at home, so that all comes together and we're able to put out scores like today," he said.

Shaffer spoke on the schools results for the 2025-2026 General Summative Assessment and ranking within the state and Wood County.

"Based on (the student’s) performance, Criss Elementary was the highest elementary school in Wood County. We did not stop there. Criss Elementary placed in the top ten percent of schools in West Virginia in all three tested areas: english language arts, math, and science. We were only one of two Wood County Elementary Schools to receive this."

Shaffer said according to schooldigger.com, Criss Elementary ranks fifth out of 355 elementary schools in West Virginia and this is the highest rank the school has received.

"While rankings and test scores are only one way to measure a school's success, these accomplishments provide meaningful evidence of the hard work happening in our classrooms," he said. "They reflect the dedication of our educators, growth of our students, and the high expectations that we set for ourselves every day."

Justice spoke at the assembly noting the school’s accomplishments and the students’ success.

"What you're doing is unbelievable. That's all there is to it, and it's a big time tribute to the administrative folks. It's a big time tribute to your teachers because they love you. At the end of the day, they really care. ... Dream as big as you can dream. ... So I want you to know that your accomplishments are (not just) numbers; they're really unbelievable."

Fifth grader Addison Mathis presented Babydog with a special necklace featuring the Criss emblem that said 'we are first in the county', as a thank you for her attendance during the celebration.

Criss spoke on the family’s legacy and history with the school, including his grandfather, Adrian Vernon Criss Sr., and commending the students success.

"Education was a big part of his life, even though he only finished seventh grade. So I am glad to have you all exemplify his name because of his excellence that you've done here today, and I want to thank you very much."

Harper Kupfer, a fifth grade student, said "It was really a big honor knowing that Criss Elementary is such a small school, but still gets really amazing test scores. We're all very kind and we're all very smart, so it's a big honor."

Nelson Mitchell, a fifth grader, said "I feel like it's been so hard to do all this. It takes a lot of work, and it just feels like it paid off. It feels good to have this accomplishment."

Wood County Superintendent said "The celebration that occurred today, to be the top in the state, in their final year, really allows them to shine. More importantly, just as the memories (of the school) are of the people, it is the people within a school that make the difference. As these students have the opportunity to go to Madison or the new Lincoln school, (they will) take that spirit with them and all their accomplishments."

Sophie Wheeler can be reached at swheeler@newsandsentinel.com.

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