Best Schools in Whitesburg, Kentucky
6 schools · 3 Elementary · 1 Middle · 2 High
Choosing a school in Whitesburg?
Use this page to compare every school in Whitesburg 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.
Whitesburg Middle School
Middle · Letcher County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Letcher County Central High School
High · Letcher County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
West Whitesburg Elementary School
Elementary · Letcher County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Whitesburg for 2026 are Whitesburg Middle School (7.5/10), Letcher County Central High School (7.2/10), and West Whitesburg Elementary School (6.2/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 5 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
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$101,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
6
in this city
Avg Score
6.1
out of 10
Median Home
$101,700
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Whitesburg
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (5 of 6). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whitesburg Middle School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 2 | Letcher County Central High School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | West Whitesburg Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 4 | Cowan Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 5 | Martha Jane Potter Elementary School | 4.2 / 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
- 6.1/10
- Median household income
- $42,363
- Median home value
- $101,700
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 70%
40% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Whitesburg compares
Kentucky rank
#79 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$42k
71% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
5
About Schools in Whitesburg, Kentucky
Whitesburg, Kentucky is home to 6 schools, including 6 public schools. The city's schools span 3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.1 out of 10, schools in Whitesburg 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 Whitesburg is Whitesburg Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Whitesburg is served by 1 school district: Letcher County. These districts collectively serve 2,467 students.
Whitesburg's community shows 15% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $42,363. The poverty rate in the area is 38.3%.
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 | 433 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.2 |
| 2 | 244 students · Pre-K–8th | 5.5 |
| 3 | 287 students · Pre-K–5th | 4.2 |
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 189 students · 6th–8th | 7.5 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 706 students · 9th–12th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 4 students · 8th–12th | — |
Schools in Whitesburg
Whitesburg, Kentucky · 6 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$42,363
Median Home Value
$101,700
Median Rent
$635/mo
Population
7,958
College Educated
15%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
38.3%
Community Profile
Whitesburg has a median household income of $42,363. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,700, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 3
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Whitesburg, Kentucky
How many schools are in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg has 6 schools, including 6 public and 0 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Whitesburg is 6.1 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 Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Whitesburg on MySchoolScout is Whitesburg Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Whitesburg on MySchoolScout is West Whitesburg Elementary School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What is the best middle school in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Whitesburg on MySchoolScout is Whitesburg Middle School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
What is the best high school in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Whitesburg on MySchoolScout is Letcher County Central High School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
How many school districts serve Whitesburg, Kentucky?
Whitesburg is served by 1 school district: Letcher County.
What is the education level in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 15% of adults in Whitesburg have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The median household income in Whitesburg is approximately $42,363 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Whitesburg, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Whitesburg is 11.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Whitesburg, 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.