Marion County Schools

The court for our kings and princesses is shaping up for The 2026 Marion County Schools Literacy Fair, 10 AM to 2 PM, on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Fairmont Senior Field House.

Walking away as State Champions at the State Social Studies Fair today. Congratulations to the students of Pleasant Valley Elementary School.

The "White Hall Way" is on display as students who earned the top honors in 2025-2026 are honored by the Marion County Board of Education. Congratulations to our 1st place winners of White Hall Elementary: 💙Judah Miller (4th Grade, 1st Place – County Young Writer’s Contest), 💙Dimitri Hastings (4th Grade, 1st Place – County and Regional Social Studies Fair), 💙Darren Riffee (3rd Grade, 1s Place – County Science Fair)

Recognizing the elite among a national standard in the profession, Marion County Schools celebrates its 2026 National Board Certified Teachers: Katie Harbert of Jayenne Elementary, Rachel Kellar of East Dale Elementary, and Charlotte Romberger of East Fairmont Middle School. The NBCT credential is the highest credential a teacher can earn in the profession, based upon rigorous standards, exceptional skills, comprehensive assessment, and a commitment to student learning.

Calendar Reminder for 2025-2026: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 is a three- hour early dismissal in Marion County Schools.

"Once Upon a Time" the gate to the castle is being lowered as Marion County Schools prepares to welcome students and families to the 2026 Marion County Literacy Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:00 AM -2:00 PM, at the Fairmont Senior Field House.

Early Childhood Screening Day announced on May 22, 2026, 9AM to noon, by Marion County Schools. See it. Touch it. Love it at the Marion County Schools Board Offices, in front of the Fairmont Senior High School Field House. Learn about Child Find, a FREE process of locating children, birth to 5, who are not enrolled in school and who may need special education services too. Early support can make a big difference! It's a free event for children and families!

East Fairmont Middle School's GameChanger student group was actively hosting a table today at the 2nd Annual Career Fair. EFMS's group supports students and spreads the mission of peer-led education that is focused on youth substance misuse prevention, particularly concerning opioids.

ENROLL. ENLIST. EMPLOY. OUR FUTURES ARE BRIGHT! Congratulations to White Hall Elementary School, the first Marion County elementary school to become a CFWV CHAMPION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL today. As part of its proclamation day, Fairmont State University President Dr. Davis and Fighting Falcons Football Coach Luke Barker helped students and staff celebrate.

2026 Golden Horseshoe Winners
The West Virginia Department of Education is honored to announce the 2026 Golden Horseshoe winners for Marion County. Since 1931, students have been honored as knights of the Golden Horseshoe having demonstrated exceptional knowledge of West Virginia history on the state administered exam. This year, 225 winners will join the ranks of WV citizens who have won this prestigious award. Your county winners will have an opportunity to be recognized at our Golden Horseshoe ceremony on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the West Virginia Culture Center in Charleston, WV.
2026 County Winners
Evangeline Moore, Barrackville Elementary/Middle School
Lucas Cox, East Fairmont Middle School
Jaxon Denham, West Fairmont Middle School
Caroline Rivera, West Fairmont Middle School
William Fullen, West Fairmont Middle School

The Bees are at work in East Fairmont Middle School gym as over 50 careers, businesses, and post-secondary institutions were represented at the 2nd annual EFMS Career Fair for students in grades 5-8.

We salute honor and commitment. Marion County Schools is honored to recognize the students at North Marion High School who have made the selfless commitment to serve in the United States Military during North Marion High School Military Signing Day. Marion County Schools is one of only 17 Purple Star Districts and a supporter of the Common Ground Partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education.

"It is a proud privilege to be a solder - a good soldier with discipline, self-respect, pride in his unit and his country." Students at East Fairmont High School have made the selfless commitment to serve in the United States Military during East Fairmont High School Military Signing Day. Marion County Schools is one of only 17 Purple Star Districts and a supporter of the Common Ground Partnership with the West Virginia Department of Education.

Marion County Schools has entered into a collaboration with Scouting America Mountaineer Area Council to develop and administer a Career Interest Survey for high school students. In this collaboration, Marion County Schools is offering a voluntary Career Interest Survey. The survey is designed to help high school students identify career interests and support future counseling, advising, and optional career exploration opportunities. Completion time: approximately 10 minutes Participation is optional Results help inform school‑approved career experiences. Access the survey here: https://exploringyourcareer.com/ Please reach out to your school counselor if you have questions.

Transportation Update for April 21, 2026: Bus 60, serving Fairmont Senior and Rivesville, will not run AM and PM runs.

With an extensive list of all she does for students of West Fairmont Middle School, Allison Lampinen was honored as 2025-2026 Marion County Counselor of the Year. Honored among "the greatest of the great" tonight, Lampinen is described as "never tiring, always smiling, and students first among all others." A "constant advocate for students and colleagues in the school counseling profession," she has been recognized state-wide and by Marion County Schools during her 4 years of service in public education.

With 27 years of experience, the most of which has been spent in alternative education at Barnes Learning Center, Travus Oates was named 2025-26 Marion County Principal of the Year tonight. Described as "a fighter for the underdogs" and "a true leader who saves kids," Principal Oates started his career at East Dale Elementary as a teacher and dean of students for 4 years before finding a "home in alternative education he will never leave." Superintendent Dr. Heston and the board of education honored him among "the greatest of the great" tonight.

Described as "a dedicated teacher with a make it happen attitude, even when the challenges are great," Jessica Ford, a Grade 1 Teacher of White Hall Elementary with 19 years of service also at Watson Elementary, East Dale Elementary, Title I, and North Marion High School, was named 2025-26 Marion County Teacher of the Year as "the greatest of the great" were honored tonight. Ford is known as a "team player and motivator who tirelessly drives student achievement."

Honoring "the greatest of the great" as Bob Dye, a bus operator of Marion County Schools with 25 years of experience, was named 2025-26 Service Personnel of the Year tonight. Dye is described as "humble, hard-working" and a "true servant of students and his community in so many ways beyond what he does every day on the bus." Thank you to Muriales, Tygart Valley Cinemas, Colasessano's, and McAteer's Restaurant for sponsorship.

Transportation Update for April 20, 2026: Bus 60, serving Fairmont Senior and Rivesville; Bus 79, serving Fairmont Senior, Jayenne and Watson; Bus 85, serving Fairmont Senior and Rivesville; Bus 19, serving Fairmont Senior, Jayenne, West Fairmont Middle, and Watson, will not run AM and PM routes.