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 8 public middle schools serving 2,403 students in Harlan County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Kentucky.
Public Middle Schools in Harlan County School District have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Kentucky public middle school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public middle school average of 26% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
11 Schools
553 Schools
# Students
3,347 Students
177,241 Students
# Teachers
252 Teachers
11,979 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
0.43
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
1%
10%
% White
95%
74%
% 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 Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Evarts Elementary School
(Math: 36% | 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: #22.
Rosspoint Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
132 Hwy 522
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Grades: K-8
| 369 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
James A. Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 31% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Grades: PK-8
| 283 students
Rank: #3 - 43. - 4.
Wallins Elementary School
(Math: 31% | 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: #55.
Green Hills Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
123 W Hwy 221
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Grades: PK-8
| 128 students
Rank: #66.
Cumberland Elementary School
(Math: 28% | 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: #77.
Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
51 Nola St
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Grades: PK-8
| 209 students
Rank: #88.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1555 Hwy 215
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Grades: PK-8
| 256 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.
