Best Schools in Barbourville, Kentucky
11 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 5 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Barbourville?
Use this page to compare every school in Barbourville by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
G R Hampton Elementary School
Elementary · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Knox County Middle School
Middle · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Central Elementary School
Elementary · Knox County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Barbourville for 2026 are G R Hampton Elementary School (9.6/10), Knox County Middle School (8.9/10), and Central Elementary School (8.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
11
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$120,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
11
in this city
Avg Score
7.2
out of 10
Median Home
$120,900
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.6/10 despite 77% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.3 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Barbourville schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Barbourville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G R Hampton Elementary School | 9.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Knox County Middle School | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Central Elementary School | 8.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Jesse D Lay Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Barbourville City School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Knox County Learning Academy | 6.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Knox Central High School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Knox Inspire Academy | 2.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 7.2/10
- Median household income
- $22,355
- Median home value
- $120,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 62%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Barbourville compares
Kentucky rank
#20 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.0
above Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$22k
38% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Barbourville, Kentucky
Barbourville, Kentucky is home to 11 schools, including 11 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 5 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.2 out of 10, schools in Barbourville perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Barbourville is G R Hampton Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Barbourville is served by 2 school districts: Barbourville Independent, Knox County. These districts collectively serve 4,541 students.
Barbourville's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $22,355. The poverty rate in the area is 39.2%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 230 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.6 |
| 2 | 311 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.8 |
| 3 | 306 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 530 students · 6th–8th | 8.9 |
High Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 students · 6th–12th | 6.6 |
| 2 | 751 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 |
| 3 | 1 students · 7th–12th | — |
| 4 | 26 students · 5th–12th | — |
| 5 | 21 students · 6th–12th | — |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 731 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | 36 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.5 |
Schools in Barbourville
Barbourville, Kentucky · 11 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$22,355
Median Home Value
$120,900
Median Rent
$660/mo
Population
10,560
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
62%
Poverty Rate
39.2%
Community Profile
Barbourville has a median household income of $22,355. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,900, with a median rent of $660/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 5
- Other
- 2
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kentucky
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Barbourville, Kentucky
How many schools are in Barbourville, Kentucky?
Barbourville has 11 schools, including 11 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Barbourville is 7.2 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Barbourville on MySchoolScout is G R Hampton Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best elementary school in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Barbourville on MySchoolScout is G R Hampton Elementary School with a composite score of 9.6/10.
What is the best middle school in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Barbourville on MySchoolScout is Knox County Middle School with a composite score of 8.9/10.
What is the best high school in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Barbourville on MySchoolScout is Knox County Learning Academy with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Barbourville, Kentucky?
Barbourville is served by 2 school districts: Barbourville Independent, Knox County.
What is the education level in Barbourville, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 18% of adults in Barbourville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The median household income in Barbourville is approximately $22,355 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Barbourville, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Barbourville is 14.2:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Barbourville, Kentucky?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kentucky Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.