Harman’s K-12 School is set to close beginning in 2027, prompting a group of 27 students to visit Elkins High School on April 30, 2026. The exact number of students who will ultimately transfer remains unclear. Students have several options moving forward, including enrolling at Elkins High School, transferring out of district to Tucker County, or choosing homeschooling or online programs. The visit was organized by Amanda Carter and Aaron Talbott, who led students through presentations and class scheduling before they arrived at Elkins High School. The group consisted of students in grades 8 through 11.

“We treated it similarly to 8th graders going into high school,” Talbott said. “The plan is to schedule all of them who haven’t already chosen to go somewhere else, so it’s unknown how many are actually gonna attend Elkins High School this year.”

Students arrived during the second lunch period, around 11:25, and were guided through the school by members of the student government, visiting classrooms and learning about daily life at Elkins High School. Initial reactions among the visiting students appeared largely consistent.

“Harman is probably the size of this cafeteria itself.” Pheobe Bennett, a sophomore, said.

“Harman is a lot different,” Aleah McFarlan, a 9th grader, said. “I’ve been in the tech center, but this is my first time being in the actual school.”

Harman is a small school, and the scale of Elkins High School stood out immediately to visiting students and was consistently brought up. When asked about their first impressions, many pointed to the size of the building and the number of students as their initial observation.

The transition is a significant change for Harman students, marking the end of a close-knit school community that has long shaped their educational experience. For many, leaving behind that identity presents a difficult adjustment.

At the same time, Elkins High School staff and students emphasized a welcoming atmosphere, expressing support for students navigating the transition and optimism about their potential integration into the school community. As with most school transitions, the process will follow a structured plan as students make decisions about enrollment and scheduling moving forward.

“I applied for every forensics class here,” Bennett said, who has strong plans to transfer here.

While some students already appear certain about attending Elkins High School, others are still beginning to consider what opportunities may interest them.

“I will go here.” Allie Teter, an 8th grader, said. “I don’t know what classes I want to join yet.”

Other students remain undecided, weighing multiple options while exploring programs available at Elkins High School.

“I’m not too sure if I’ll go here, I’m between options,” McFarlan said. “I’ve seen robotics, which I’m interested in.”