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#139 of 218 private schools in KY

Appalachian Challenge Academy

High School

465 GRAYS BRANCH RD, Grays Knob, KY 40829

Private

Enrollment

80

Student-Teacher

16:1

Score

5.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2021-22

How this school compares

Kentucky private schools

#139 of 218

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Appalachian Challenge Academy

5.8/10

High School in Grays Knob · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

James A. Cawood Elementary

8.8/10

0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Sunshine School

3.3/10

2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Appalachian Challenge Academy

Appalachian Challenge Academy is a private high school in Grays Knob, KY. Appalachian Challenge Academy serves approximately 80 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Appalachian Challenge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #139 of 218 private schools in KY.

How it compares0.4 pts below KY schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 80 students, Appalachian Challenge Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Appalachian Challenge Academy is private, so it runs independently of the local district and sets its own curriculum. That freedom cuts both ways depending on what you want for your child. If you're considering it, start with the practical questions: tuition, financial aid, and how admissions work.

Appalachian Challenge Academy sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Preliminary

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in KY.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
C 2.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 16:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A+ 9.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,430
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 8.1 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 31%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 80
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in KY

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 82.5%
Black 8.8%
Hispanic 5.0%
Two or More 3.8%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

465 GRAYS BRANCH RD, Grays Knob, KY 40829

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Appalachian Challenge Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Thomas Walker High (rated 7.7/10, 12.3 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee High (rated 6.4/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harlan County High School (rated 6.2/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Baxter), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Grays Knob, see our Grays Knob schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 19.0 mi
School Distance Rating
James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan 0.8 mi 8.8
Sunshine School Harlan 2.9 mi 3.3
Harlan High School Harlan 3.0 mi 5.9
Harlan Elementary School Harlan 3.0 mi 7.0
Cawood Elementary School Cawood 4.4 mi 7.6
Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter 5.5 mi 5.3
Harlan County High School Baxter 5.8 mi 6.2
Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe 7.0 mi 8.9
Wallins Elementary School Wallins 6.0 mi 5.6
Evarts Elementary School Evarts 7.6 mi 5.5
Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill 9.4 mi 6.6
Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts 8.4 mi 7.0
HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz 10.0 mi 6.3
Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville 11.4 mi 6.8
Thomas Walker High Ewing 12.3 mi 7.7
Jonesville Middle Jonesville 13.1 mi 7.9
Lee High Jonesville 13.0 mi 6.4
St. Charles Elementary St. Charles 13.7 mi 7.7
Right Fork School Center Stoney Fork 15.6 mi 6.1
Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston 19.0 mi 7.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40829 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Population

24

College Educated

0%

Homeownership

50%

Poverty Rate

0%

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Adair Learning Academy Columbia, KY 5.8
Georgia Chaffee Teenage Parent Program Fairdale, KY 5.7
Success Academy Glasgow, KY 5.9
The Renaissance Center Greenville, KY 5.6
Northpoint Academy Pikeville, KY 6.1
Phoenix Horizon Community Georgetown, KY 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Appalachian Challenge Academy

What grades does Appalachian Challenge Academy serve?

Appalachian Challenge Academy serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Appalachian Challenge Academy?

Appalachian Challenge Academy has an enrollment of approximately 80 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Appalachian Challenge Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Appalachian Challenge Academy is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Appalachian Challenge Academy rank in KY?

Appalachian Challenge Academy ranks #139 of 218 private schools in KY.

What is Appalachian Challenge Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Appalachian Challenge Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Appalachian Challenge Academy a private school?

Yes, Appalachian Challenge Academy is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Appalachian Challenge Academy a religious school?

No, Appalachian Challenge Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
12 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
80
Gender Split
68% M / 32% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
Teachers (FTE)
5
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.5 hours
Days Per Year
220 days
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Harlan County

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