Average
#462 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 36% in state
Ballard County Middle School
Middle School · Ballard County
3565 Paducah Rd, Barlow, KY 42024
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
221
Student-Teacher
15.8:1
Score
6.7
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Barlow
#3 of 4
public schools
Kentucky middle schools
#42 of 216
In district
#3 of 4
Ballard County
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Ballard County Middle School
Ballard County Middle School is a regular public school located in the rural community of Barlow, Kentucky. Serving students from sixth to eighth grade, this middle school has an enrollment of 221 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 15.8:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 5.6 out of 10, placing it at the 57th percentile among Kentucky schools with a state ranking of #555 out of 1288 schools.
In terms of academic performance, Ballard County Middle School shows areas for improvement in both ELA and math proficiency levels. Specifically, 52% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts/Reading, while only 33% meet the standard in Math. Despite these challenges, the school continues to focus on student development and growth.
Ballard County Middle School is situated in a quiet rural setting where community support plays an important role in the educational experience.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Ballard County Middle 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Ballard County Middle School — Students at Ballard County Middle School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.5%
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
↓ 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: 6.5/10.
How Ballard County Middle School Compares
See how Ballard County Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 33% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 61% (2019) to 55% (2022).
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 7.0/10, 16.5 miles away, in nearby Bardwell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Heath Middle School (rated 6.5/10, 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 | 7.1 |
| Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center Barlow | 0.2 mi | 6.0 |
| Ballard County Elementary School Barlow | 0.2 mi | 8.2 |
| Heath Elementary School West Paducah | 10.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Meridian High School Mounds | 10.9 mi | 7.1 |
| Meridian Elementary School Mounds | 10.9 mi | 5.1 |
| Heath Middle School West Paducah | 10.6 mi | 6.5 |
| McCracken Open Campus School West Paducah | 10.7 mi | 2.8 |
| Joppa Jr & Sr High School Joppa | 12.7 mi | 6.2 |
| Cairo Elementary School Cairo | 11.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Maple Grove Elem School Metropolis | 13.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Cairo Jr/Sr High School Cairo | 11.6 mi | 7.4 |
| 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 | 13.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Franklin Elem School Metropolis | 15.2 mi | 7.9 |
| Metropolis Elem School Metropolis | 15.7 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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Berea Community Middle School Berea, KY | 6.8 |
| Middlesboro Middle School Middlesboro, KY | 6.8 |
| Bracken County Middle School Brooksville, KY | 6.6 |
| OWENSBORO CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Owensboro, KY | 6.6 |
| Elliott County Middle School Sandy Hook, KY | 6.9 |
| Livingston County Middle School Burna, KY | 6.5 |
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 is ranked #462 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Ballard County Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballard County Middle School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballard County Middle School has 33.3% math proficiency and 51.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- County Safety
- Elevated (781/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
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
- 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
- #3 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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