For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 4,364 students in Harlan County, KY (there are 3 private schools, serving 211 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Harlan County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY are Harlan Elementary School, Harlan High School and Evarts Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Harlan County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Harlan County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Harlan County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Harlan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Grades: K-4
| 352 students
Rank: #22.
Harlan High School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Grades: 5-12
| 449 students
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #5 - 65. - 6.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
Rank: #1111.
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
Rank: n/an/a
Appalachian Challenge Academy
Alternative School
465 Grays Drive
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(502) 607-5950
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(502) 607-5950
Grades: 9-12
| 97 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
Harlan County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
600 Redskin Dr
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-4625
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-4625
Grades: 9-12
| 310 students
1995 Wildcat Dr
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2502
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2502
Grades: 9-12
| 332 students
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Grades: 9-12
| 668 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY include Harlan Elementary School, Harlan High School and Evarts Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Harlan County?
15 public schools are located in Harlan County.
What percentage of students in Harlan County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Harlan County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Harlan County?
Harlan County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Harlan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Harlan County include: Evarts Elementary School vs. Black Mountain Elementary School, Rosspoint Elementary School vs. Wallins Elementary School, Rosspoint Elementary School vs. James A. Cawood Elementary School
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