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Excellent

#83 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 6% in state

Ballard County Elementary School

Elementary School · Ballard County

3383 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Barlow

#1 of 4

public schools

Kentucky elementary schools

#64 of 708

In district

#1 of 4

Ballard County

Academic growth

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Ballard County Elementary School

Ballard County Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barlow, KY, part of the Ballard County. The school serves approximately 463 students in grades Kindergarten – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 15.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 93.6th percentile among KY schools — an above average rating overall.

Students demonstrate 40% proficiency in math and 49% in reading/language arts. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.9/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $57,969, where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

The school is situated in a distant rural setting.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Ballard County Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.9Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change0 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics8.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency41%
Reading/ELA Proficiency54%
Overall Proficiency48%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+8.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile74th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,058

Ballard County Elementary School — Students at Ballard County Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 40.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
54%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.9/10.

How Ballard County Elementary School Compares

See how Ballard County Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
94th percentile in KY
Academic
8.3/10
8.3/10
Growth
8.9/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers

Location

3383 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballard County Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cairo Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Cairo), with a very similar rating. Another option is Franklin Elem School (rated 7.9/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Metropolis), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Century Elementary School (rated 7.7/10, 15.3 miles away, in nearby Ullin), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Barlow, see our Barlow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center Barlow 0.0 mi 6.0
Ballard Memorial High School Barlow 0.2 mi 7.1
Ballard County Middle School Barlow 0.2 mi 6.7
Meridian High School Mounds 10.8 mi 7.1
Meridian Elementary School Mounds 10.8 mi 5.1
Heath Elementary School West Paducah 10.8 mi 5.8
Heath Middle School West Paducah 10.9 mi 6.5
McCracken Open Campus School West Paducah 10.9 mi 2.8
Cairo Elementary School Cairo 11.3 mi 8.2
Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo 11.3 mi 7.4
Joppa Jr & Sr High School Joppa 12.9 mi 6.2
Maple Grove Elem School Metropolis 13.4 mi 5.5
Century Jr/Sr High School Ullin 15.3 mi 6.3
Century Elementary School Ullin 15.3 mi 7.7
Carlisle County Middle School Bardwell 16.5 mi 7.0
Carlisle County High School Bardwell 16.5 mi 7.8
Carlisle County Elementary School Bardwell 16.5 mi 6.3
McCracken County High School Paducah 14.1 mi 6.1
Franklin Elem School Metropolis 15.4 mi 7.9
Metropolis Elem School Metropolis 15.9 mi 5.7

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballard County Elementary School has a median household income of $57,969. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,000, with a median rent of $579/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Lexington, KY 8.2
Cedar Grove Elementary Shepherdsville, KY 8.2
Glenn R Marshall Elementary School Richmond, KY 8.2
Hillard Collins Elementary School Florence, KY 8.2
Hustonville Elementary School Hustonville, KY 8.2
Newport Primary School Newport, KY 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballard County Elementary School

What grades does Ballard County Elementary School serve?

Ballard County Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Ballard County Elementary School?

Ballard County Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 463 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard County Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballard County Elementary School is 15.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballard County Elementary School rank in KY?

Ballard County Elementary School is ranked #83 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Ballard County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard County Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballard County Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard County Elementary School has 40.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballard County Elementary School a charter school?

No, Ballard County Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballard County Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Ballard County Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard County Elementary School?

62.0% of students at Ballard County Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (781/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Ballard County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Ballard County
District Enrollment
1,039
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,101
District Rank
#1 of 4

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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