Below Average

#1135 of 1,284 schools in KY

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center

School · Ballard County

3383 Paducah Road, Barlow, KY 42024

Last updated: July 2026

Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on KY statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Enrollment

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

4.1

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,135 of 1,284

In Barlow

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#4 of 4

Ballard County

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Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

School in Barlow · grades Pre-K – Pre-K. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center is a public school in Barlow, KY, part of Ballard County. Ballard Co.

Preschool/headstart Center serves approximately 90 students, and covers grades Pre-K-Pre-K, and has a 18:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,135 of 1,284 schools in KY.

How it compares2.4 pts below district

4.1

This school 4.1 · Below Average
District avg 6.5
KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 90 students, Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center 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.

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress—Not Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Average25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on KY state average

College Readiness3.1Needs Improvement45%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment3.9Needs Improvement30%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio18:1

Per-Pupil Spending$15,101

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

How Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center Compares

See how Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

4.1/10

12th percentile in KY

Academic

6.3/10

Average

Environment

3.9/10

Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

78%

Teaching Staff

18:1 student-teacher ratio

5 teachers

Location

3383 Paducah Road, Barlow, KY 42024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center may also want to explore other schools in the area. Carlisle County Middle School (rated 9.1/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Bardwell), which scores notably higher. Another option is Heath Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby West Paducah), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Franklin Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Metropolis), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Barlow, see our Barlow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.9 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Ballard County Elementary School Barlow	0.0 mi	463	6.2
Ballard Memorial High School Barlow	0.2 mi	265	8.0
Ballard County Middle School Barlow	0.2 mi	221	7.6
Meridian High School Mounds	10.8 mi	210	6.4
Meridian Elementary School Mounds	10.8 mi	232	5.7
Heath Elementary School West Paducah	10.8 mi	493	8.9
Heath Middle School West Paducah	10.9 mi	405	7.5
McCracken Open Campus School West Paducah	10.9 mi	63	4.1
Cairo Elementary School Cairo	11.3 mi	174	5.8
Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo	11.3 mi	120	6.1
Joppa Jr & Sr High School Joppa	12.9 mi	87	7.4
Maple Grove Elem School Metropolis	13.4 mi	114	6.9
Century Jr/Sr High School Ullin	15.3 mi	154	5.3
Century Elementary School Ullin	15.3 mi	175	4.5
Carlisle County Middle School Bardwell	16.5 mi	135	9.1
Carlisle County High School Bardwell	16.5 mi	194	8.0
Carlisle County Elementary School Bardwell	16.5 mi	409	8.0
McCracken County High School Paducah	14.1 mi	1,958	7.5
Franklin Elem School Metropolis	15.4 mi	150	8.7
Metropolis Elem School Metropolis	15.9 mi	490	4.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 42024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$57,969

Median Home Value

$150,000

Median Rent

$579/mo

Population

1,160

College Educated

11.7%

Homeownership

75.5%

Poverty Rate

19.6%

Median Age

50.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center

What grades does Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center serve?

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.

How many students attend Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center?

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center has an enrollment of approximately 90 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center rank in KY?

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center ranks #1,135 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center a charter school?

No, Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center a Title I school?

No, Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center?

77.8% of students at Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.