Top Rankings
Harlan County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 3,347 students in Harlan County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Harlan County School District have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
11 Schools
1,537 Schools
# Students
3,347 Students
657,239 Students
# Teachers
252 Teachers
43,057 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harlan County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 91% has decreased from 96% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#86 out of 172 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
22%
Graduation Rate
91%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
10%
% Black
1%
11%
% White
95%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
2%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,387 is higher than the state median of $14,242. The school district revenue/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $16,197 is higher than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$55 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$54 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,387
$14,242
Spending / Student
$16,197
$13,981
Best Harlan County School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
51 Nola St
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Grades: PK-8
| 209 students
Rank: #22.
Evarts Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
132 Keister St
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2386
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2386
Grades: PK-8
| 348 students
Rank: #33.
Green Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
123 W Hwy 221
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Grades: PK-8
| 128 students
Rank: #44.
James A. Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Grades: PK-8
| 283 students
Rank: #55.
Rosspoint Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
132 Hwy 522
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Grades: K-8
| 369 students
Rank: #66.
Wallins Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
993 Hwy 219
Wallins Creek, KY 40873
(606) 664-3444
Wallins Creek, KY 40873
(606) 664-3444
Grades: PK-8
| 359 students
Rank: #77.
Cumberland Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
322 Golf Course Rd
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2511
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2511
Grades: PK-8
| 451 students
Rank: #88.
Harlan County High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4000 N Us Hwy 119
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 574-2020
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 574-2020
Grades: 9-12
| 944 students
Rank: #99.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1555 Hwy 215
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Grades: PK-8
| 256 students
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Tech - Harlan Campus
Vocational School
164 Ballpark Road
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Kentucky Tech - Harlan Regional Tech Center
Vocational School
164 Ball Park Road
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Grades: Inquire with school
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Harlan County School District?
Harlan County School District manages 11 public schools serving 3,347 students.
What is the rank of Harlan County School District?
Harlan County School District is ranked #81 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Lowest student:teacher ratio (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Harlan County School District?
95% of Harlan County School District students are White, 2% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Harlan County School District?
Harlan County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 13:1, which is lower than the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Harlan County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $16,197 is higher than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has grown by 12% over four school years.
Recent Articles
The 15 Biggest Failures of the American Public Education System
The world is in a constant state of change and those who fail to adjust fall behind. Unfortunately, the American public education system has not kept up with the times and is currently facing a number of serious problems. Keep reading to learn about the biggest failures affecting the modern U.S. public education system as well as some of the trends that could spark change.
Florida Governor Calls for More Funding for State鈥檚 Public School System
Florida Governor Rick Scott has introduced a state budget for next year that pumps one billion more dollars into the public school system. We鈥檒l look at his reasons for the increase and the responses to the proposal.
Can Your Child鈥檚 School Meet the National Standards?
The article discusses the challenges public schools face in meeting national educational standards. It examines current performance trends, identifies key issues affecting student achievement, and explores potential solutions for improving academic outcomes across U.S. public schools.
