Best Schools in Harlan, Kentucky
4 schools · 2 Elementary · 1 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Harlan?
Use this page to compare every school in Harlan 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.
James A. Cawood Elementary
Elementary · Harlan County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harlan Elementary School
Elementary · Harlan Independent. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Harlan High School
High · Harlan Independent. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Harlan for 2026 are James A. Cawood Elementary (8.8/10), Harlan Elementary School (7.0/10), and Harlan High School (5.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 3 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
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$106,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
4
in this city
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$106,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Harlan
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (3 of 4). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James A. Cawood Elementary | 8.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Harlan Elementary School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 3 | Harlan High School | 5.9 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $35,417
- Median home value
- $106,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Harlan compares
Kentucky rank
#72 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.0
above Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$35k
60% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
4
About Schools in Harlan, Kentucky
Harlan, Kentucky is home to 4 schools, including 4 public schools. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, , and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 6.3 out of 10, schools in Harlan show moderate performance 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 Harlan is James A. Cawood Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Harlan is served by 2 school districts: Harlan Independent, Harlan County. These districts collectively serve 4,281 students.
Harlan's community shows 19% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $35,417. The poverty rate in the area is 25.7%.
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
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 283 students · Pre-K–8th | 8.8 |
| 2 | 352 students · Kindergarten–4th | 7.0 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 449 students · 5th–12th | 5.9 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 119 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.3 |
Schools in Harlan
Harlan, Kentucky · 4 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$35,417
Median Home Value
$106,500
Median Rent
$567/mo
Population
4,719
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
57%
Poverty Rate
25.7%
Community Profile
Harlan has a median household income of $35,417. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,500, with a median rent of $567/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 2
- High
- 1
- Other
- 1
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 Harlan, Kentucky
How many schools are in Harlan, Kentucky?
Harlan has 4 schools, including 4 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Harlan, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Harlan is 6.3 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 Harlan, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is James A. Cawood Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Harlan, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is James A. Cawood Elementary with a composite score of 8.8/10.
What is the best high school in Harlan, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Harlan on MySchoolScout is Harlan High School with a composite score of 5.9/10.
How many school districts serve Harlan, Kentucky?
Harlan is served by 2 school districts: Harlan Independent, Harlan County.
What is the education level in Harlan, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in Harlan have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Harlan, Kentucky?
The median household income in Harlan is approximately $35,417 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Harlan, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Harlan is 40.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Harlan, 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.