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 is 1 public high school serving 944 students in Harlan County School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Kentucky.
Public High School in Harlan County School District have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 35%), and reading proficiency score of 33% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Public High School in Harlan County School District have a Graduation Rate of 86%, which is less than the Kentucky average of 90%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Harlan County High School, with 86% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kentucky or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
11 Schools
515 Schools
# Students
3,347 Students
214,773 Students
# Teachers
252 Teachers
13,405 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harlan County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 86% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#116 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
28%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
18%
22%
Graduation Rate
86%
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 High Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Harlan County High School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
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
Recent Articles

Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.

2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.

Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.