Mercer County Schools
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State Law

West Virginia is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map PRINCETON, WV 24740 Mercer County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 23.3% (data source)
Non-White Students 18.6% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 19, 2026
West Virginia State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

§18-8-1. Compulsory school attendance; exemptions.

(j) A child is exempt from the compulsory school attendance requirement set forth in §18-8-1a of this code if the requirements of this subsection, relating to church ordinances and observances of regular church ordinances, are met. The county board may approve exemption for religious instruction upon written request of the person having legal or actual charge of a child or children. This exemption is subject to the rules prescribed by the county superintendent and approved by the county board.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (25)
School Grades Period
Athens Elementary School
Bluefield High School
Bluefield Intermediate School
Bluefield Middle School
BLUEFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Bluewell Elementary School
Brushfork Elementary School
Ceres Elementary School
Glenwood School (K-8)
Lashmeet-Matoaka Elementary School
Melrose Elementary School
Mercer County Early Learning Center
MERCER COUNTY TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER
Mercer Elementary
Montcalm Elementary School
Montcalm High School
Oakvale School
Pikeview High School
Pikeview Middle School
Princeton Middle School
Princeton Primary School
Princeton Senior High School
Spanishburg
Straley Elementary School
Sun Valley Elementary School
15 schools not shown
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