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
Enrollment
463
Student-Teacher
15.4:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Ballard County Elementary School — Students at Ballard County Elementary School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
62%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 41% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 51% (2019) to 54% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (270) 665-8400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Ballard County- District Enrollment
- 1,039
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,101
- District Rank
- #1 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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.
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