What percentage of public school funding in comes from the federal government?

Refreshed annually
About 18.3% or 7 in 40 dollars of West Virginia public school funding came from the federal government during the 2023–24 school year. As with most schools nationwide, West Virginia received more funding from local or state governments than it did from federal sources. The totals differ by district, depending on factors such as student demographics (like poverty levels), availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.

18.3%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2023–24 school year

$3.59K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2023–24 school year
During the 2023–24 school year, the latest year data was available, West Virginia schools received a higher share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (11.7%).

During the 2023–24 school year, public schools in West Virginia received 18.3% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

In all, public schools in West Virginia received $886.7 million, or $3,591 in federal funds per student. That's 46% higher than the national average of $2,460 per student.

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During the 2023–24 school year, public schools in West Virginia received $3,591 per student from the federal government.

Public school district revenue per student coming from federal sources

Most federal public school funds are allocated based on formulas based on factors such as poverty status or a district’s rural location. Federal programs for schools include:
  • Child nutrition programs: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
  • Education for the disadvantaged: Also known as Title I, the federal government provides additional funds to schools with relatively high concentrations of low-income students.
  • Special education: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized, though not mandated, to supply 40% of special education funds.
Among 56 school districts in West Virginia, the Nicholas County School District in the outside of metro areas received 33.1% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Doddridge County School District outside of metro areas received the smallest share at 5%.

Federal funding made up 5% to 33.1% of West Virginia school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Mercer County School District received 27.2% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among West Virginia's 10 largest school districts. The Mercer County School District also had the highest federal funding in the group at $4,446 per student. The Jefferson County School District had the lowest share at 9.9% or $1,676 per student.

The 10 largest school districts in West Virginia based on 2022–23 enrollment.

The 10 largest school districts in West Virginia based on 2022–23 enrollment.
1.

Mercer County School District

27.2%
2.

Harrison County School District

23%
3.

Cabell County School District

22.8%
4.

Kanawha County School District

22.2%
5.

Raleigh County School District

18.1%
6.

Wood County School District

15.9%
7.

Monongalia School District

14.5%
8.

Berkeley County School District

13.9%
9.

Putnam County School District

11%
10.

Jefferson County School District

9.9%

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.