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Harlan Independent School District

420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(District boundaries shown in map)
9/
10
Top 20%

Top Rankings

Harlan Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:

Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 920 students in Harlan Independent School District. This district's average testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Harlan Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
3 Schools
1,537 Schools
# Students
920 Students
657,239 Students
# Teachers
50 Teachers
43,057 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Harlan Independent School District, which is ranked within the top 20% 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 80-89% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (KY)
#28 out of 172 school districts
(Top 20%)
41%
38%
57%
45%
30-34%
22%
80-89%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.25
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
2%
10%
% Black
3%
11%
% White
87%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $10,684 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,242. The school district revenue/student has declined by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,548 is less than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has declined by 23% over four school years.
This School District
This State (KY)
Total Revenue
$10 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$10 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,684
$14,242
Spending / Student
$10,548
$13,981

Best Harlan Independent School District Public Schools (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Harlan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Grades: K-4
| 352 students
Rank: #22.
Harlan High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Grades: 5-12
| 449 students
Rank: n/an/a
Sunshine School
304 Surgener St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Grades: PK
| 119 students

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District manages 3 public schools serving 920 students.
What is the rank of Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District is ranked #22 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (top 20%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Highest overall rank (Top 20%), Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%) and Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
What is the racial composition of students in Harlan Independent School District?
87% of Harlan Independent School District students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is higher than the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Harlan Independent School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $10,548 is less than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has declined by 23% over four school years.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • District size: 3 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 920 students
  • Student:Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 13%
  • : 80-89% (Btm 50% in KY)
  • : Top 20%
  • : 41% (Top 30%)
  • : 57% (Top 10%)
  • : 30-34% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KY Dept. of Education

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