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 2 public elementary schools serving 801 students in Harlan Independent School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 9/10, which is in the top 20% of public elementary schools in Kentucky.
Public Elementary Schools in Harlan Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Kentucky public elementary school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public elementary school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
3 Schools
1,082 Schools
# Students
920 Students
447,292 Students
# Teachers
50 Teachers
30,346 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
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.
Overall District Rank
#28 out of 172 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)

Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
41%
38%

Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
45%

Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
22%

Graduation Rate
80-89%
90%

Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.47
# American Indian Students
n/a
599 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
7 Students
9,451 Students
% Asian Students
1%
2%
# Hispanic Students
20 Students
42,759 Students
% Hispanic Students
2%
9%
# Black Students
29 Students
48,507 Students
% Black Students
3%
11%
# White Students
796 Students
320,102 Students
% White Students
87%
72%
# Hawaiian Students
n/a
837 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
68 Students
25,037 Students
% of Two or more races Students
7%
6%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
119
18,112
# Students in K Grade:
85
45,031
# Students in 1st Grade:
68
49,074
# Students in 2nd Grade:
70
50,429
# Students in 3rd Grade:
60
46,939
# Students in 4th Grade:
69
47,705
# Students in 5th Grade:
76
48,100
# Students in 6th Grade:
56
44,625
# Students in 7th Grade:
52
41,483
# Students in 8th Grade:
59
42,059
# Students in 9th Grade:
57
3,504
# Students in 10th Grade:
53
3,532
# Students in 11th Grade:
55
3,553
# Students in 12th Grade:
41
3,094
# Ungraded Students:
-
52
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.
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 Elementary Schools (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
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