Very Good
#259 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 20% in state
Ballard County Middle School
Middle School · Ballard County
3565 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
7.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#259 of 1,284
In Barlow
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#2 of 4
Ballard County
Academic performance
8.9 / 10
Excellent
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Ballard County Middle School
Middle School in Barlow · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Ballard Memorial High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Ballard Co. Preschool/headstart Center
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ballard County Middle School
Ballard County Middle School is a public middle school in Barlow, KY, part of Ballard County. Ballard County Middle School serves approximately 221 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballard County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #259 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Ballard County Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Ballard County Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ballard County Middle School — Students at Ballard County Middle School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 35 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Ballard County Middle School Compares
See how Ballard County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
3565 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ballard County Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Carlisle County Middle School (rated 9.1/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Bardwell), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Heath Middle School (rated 7.5/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby West Paducah), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Barlow, see our Barlow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ballard Memorial High School Barlow | 0.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center Barlow | 0.2 mi | 4.1 |
| Ballard County Elementary School Barlow | 0.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Heath Elementary School West Paducah | 10.6 mi | 8.9 |
| Meridian High School Mounds | 10.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Meridian Elementary School Mounds | 10.9 mi | 5.7 |
| Heath Middle School West Paducah | 10.6 mi | 7.5 |
| McCracken Open Campus School West Paducah | 10.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Joppa Jr & Sr High School Joppa | 12.7 mi | 7.4 |
| Cairo Elementary School Cairo | 11.5 mi | 5.8 |
| Maple Grove Elem School Metropolis | 13.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo | 11.6 mi | 6.1 |
| 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 | 13.9 mi | 7.5 |
| Franklin Elem School Metropolis | 15.2 mi | 8.7 |
| Metropolis Elem School Metropolis | 15.7 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 |
|---|---|
| Crittenden County Middle School Marion, KY | 7.5 |
| Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg, KY | 7.5 |
| Bracken County Middle School Brooksville, KY | 7.7 |
| Berea Community Middle School Berea, KY | 7.4 |
| Cumberland County Middle School Burkesville, KY | 7.4 |
| Wolfe County Middle School Campton, KY | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ballard County Middle School
What grades does Ballard County Middle School serve?
Ballard County Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ballard County Middle School?
Ballard County Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 221 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballard County Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ballard County Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ballard County Middle School rank in KY?
Ballard County Middle School ranks #259 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Ballard County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard County Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballard County Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Ballard County Middle School a charter school?
No, Ballard County Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ballard County Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ballard County Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballard County Middle School?
57.5% of students at Ballard County Middle 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
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 221
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Ballard County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 16.3%
- Phone
- (270) 665-8400
Resources & Links
District
Ballard County- District Enrollment
- 1,039
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $15,101
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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