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Average

#635 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 49% in state

Ballard County Elementary School

Elementary School · Ballard County

3383 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024

Enrollment

463

Student-Teacher

15.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#635 of 1,284

In Barlow

#3 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 4

Ballard County

School environment

8.4 / 10

Excellent

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Ballard County Elementary School

6.2/10

Elementary School in Barlow · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center

4.1/10

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

Ballard Memorial High School

8.0/10

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

About Ballard County Elementary School

Ballard County Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barlow, KY, part of Ballard County. Ballard County Elementary School serves approximately 463 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 15.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #635 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Ballard County Elementary School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with KY schools
  • This school 6.2 · Average
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Ballard County Elementary School 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 Progress5.2Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.52 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency49% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency43% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+0.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,101
Chronic Absenteeism15.8%

Ballard County Elementary School — Students at Ballard County Elementary School score 43% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

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 KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 44.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
73%
ELA
81%
2010
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
34%
ELA
51%
2013
Math
53%
ELA
59%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
56%
2015
Math
49%
ELA
58%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
51%
2018
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
42%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
38%
ELA
41%
2022
Math
41%
ELA
54%
2025
Math
37%
ELA
49%

* 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: 5.2/10.

How Ballard County Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.2/10
51th percentile in KY
Academic
6.3/10
Average
Growth
5.2/10
Average
Environment
8.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
62%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. Heath Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby West Paducah), which scores notably higher. Another option is Franklin Elem School (rated 8.7/10, 15.4 miles away, in nearby Metropolis), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Carlisle County Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Bardwell), which scores notably higher. 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 4.1
Ballard Memorial High School Barlow 0.2 mi 8.0
Ballard County Middle School Barlow 0.2 mi 7.6
Meridian High School Mounds 10.8 mi 6.4
Meridian Elementary School Mounds 10.8 mi 5.7
Heath Elementary School West Paducah 10.8 mi 8.9
Heath Middle School West Paducah 10.9 mi 7.5
McCracken Open Campus School West Paducah 10.9 mi 4.1
Cairo Elementary School Cairo 11.3 mi 5.8
Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo 11.3 mi 6.1
Joppa Jr & Sr High School Joppa 12.9 mi 7.4
Maple Grove Elem School Metropolis 13.4 mi 6.9
Century Jr/Sr High School Ullin 15.3 mi 5.3
Century Elementary School Ullin 15.3 mi 4.5
Carlisle County Middle School Bardwell 16.5 mi 9.1
Carlisle County High School Bardwell 16.5 mi 8.0
Carlisle County Elementary School Bardwell 16.5 mi 8.0
McCracken County High School Paducah 14.1 mi 7.5
Franklin Elem School Metropolis 15.4 mi 8.7
Metropolis Elem School Metropolis 15.9 mi 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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bardstown Primary School Bardstown, KY 6.2
Camp Taylor Elementary Louisville, KY 6.2
Coxs Creek Elementary School Coxs Creek, KY 6.2
Dry Ridge Elementary Dry Ridge, KY 6.2
Eden Elementary School Inez, KY 6.2
Gutermuth Elementary Louisville, KY 6.2

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 ranks #635 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Ballard County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballard County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballard County Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard County Elementary School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.8%

District

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

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