Paden City High School students return to school after being told they were closed for good

PADEN CITY, W.Va. (WTRF) — Just a few short months ago Paden City High School was officially closed for the 2024-2025 school year. After several months of controversy, community rallies, and court hearings, students, faculty and staff returned to Paden City High School on Monday for the first day of classes.

According to Principal Elliott Kendle, the first day of school began in the gymnasium as students and staff were welcomed back with a pep rally to start the new year.

Principal Kendle formerly worked at the elementary school in Wetzel County and is now back where he graduated with plenty of familiar faces.

”I’ve had a lot of these students. I had let me know who has had me before and most of them have. So seeing them here, seeing them back in the school it was a really good feeling.”

Elliott Kendle – Principal, Paden City High School

”Over the summer, it was a very stressful time, you know, not knowing if we were going to be able to do that and I think that uncertainty kind of made it more exciting to know that we’re going to be here, we’re going to be here with my friends that I’ve been with all through middle school, high school. We’re just excited to be back with each other.”

Dalton Hayes – Junior, Paden City High School

Principal Kendle says the one thing he is looking forward to most this school year is getting to see just how much the students accomplish.

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