Best Schools in Paintsville, Kentucky
7 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Paintsville?
Use this page to compare every school in Paintsville 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.
Johnson Central High School
High · Johnson County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Paintsville High School
High · Paintsville Independent. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Johnson County Middle School
Middle · Johnson County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Paintsville for 2026 are Johnson Central High School (8.3/10), Paintsville High School (7.7/10), and Johnson County Middle School (7.0/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 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
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$159,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
7
6 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$159,500
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Paintsville
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 7). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson Central High School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Paintsville High School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 3 | Johnson County Middle School | 7.0 / 10 |
| 4 | Paintsville Elementary School | 6.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Johnson County Eagle Academy | 6.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Central Elementary School | 5.0 / 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
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $41,000
- Median home value
- $159,500
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Owner-occupied homes
- 49%
50% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Of occupied housing units
How Paintsville compares
Kentucky rank
#40 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$41k
69% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
6
About Schools in Paintsville, Kentucky
Paintsville, Kentucky is home to 7 schools, including 6 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Paintsville 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 Paintsville is Johnson Central High School with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Paintsville is served by 2 school districts: Johnson County, Paintsville Independent. These districts collectively serve 4,078 students.
Paintsville's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $41,000. The poverty rate in the area is 25.1%.
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 | 453 students · Pre-K–6th | 6.7 | ||
| 2 | 336 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Our Lady of the Mountains School
Private
18 students · Pre-K–6th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 443 students · 7th–8th | 7.0 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 913 students · 9th–12th | 8.3 |
| 2 | 321 students · 7th–12th | 7.7 |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 149 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.1 |
Schools in Paintsville
Paintsville, Kentucky · 7 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$41,000
Median Home Value
$159,500
Median Rent
$685/mo
Population
6,495
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
49%
Poverty Rate
25.1%
Community Profile
Paintsville has a median household income of $41,000. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $159,500, with a median rent of $685/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.1%, 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
- 2
- Other
- 1
Resources
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 Paintsville, Kentucky
How many schools are in Paintsville, Kentucky?
Paintsville has 7 schools, including 6 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Paintsville is 6.8 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 Paintsville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Paintsville on MySchoolScout is Johnson Central High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Paintsville on MySchoolScout is Paintsville Elementary School with a composite score of 6.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Paintsville on MySchoolScout is Johnson County Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Paintsville on MySchoolScout is Johnson Central High School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
How many school districts serve Paintsville, Kentucky?
Paintsville is served by 2 school districts: Johnson County, Paintsville Independent.
What is the education level in Paintsville, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Paintsville have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The median household income in Paintsville is approximately $41,000 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Paintsville, Kentucky?
Yes, Paintsville has 1 private school alongside 6 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Paintsville, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Paintsville is 17.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Paintsville, 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.