Very Good
#268 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 21% in state
Cawood Elementary School
Elementary School · Harlan County
51 Nola St, Cawood, KY 40815
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
209
Student-Teacher
13.1:1
Score
7.6
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#268 of 1,284
In district
#3 of 9
Harlan County
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Cawood Elementary School
Elementary School in Cawood · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Appalachian Challenge Academy
4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
James A. Cawood Elementary
5.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cawood Elementary School
Cawood Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cawood, KY, part of Harlan County. Cawood Elementary School serves approximately 209 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 13.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cawood Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10 and ranks #268 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Cawood Elementary School show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.6 · Very Good
- District avg 6.9
- KY avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Cawood 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.
40% of students at Cawood Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cawood Elementary School — Students at Cawood Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 6.8/10.
How Cawood Elementary School Compares
See how Cawood Elementary 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
51 Nola St, Cawood, KY 40815
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cawood Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Hills Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Bledsoe), which scores notably higher. Another option is James A. Cawood Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Harlan), which scores notably higher. Additionally, St. Charles Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 9.6 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cawood, see our Cawood schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 5.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 6.2 mi | 5.5 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 6.1 mi | 7.0 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 6.4 mi | 3.3 |
| Harlan Elementary School Harlan | 6.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Harlan High School Harlan | 6.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Harlan County High School Baxter | 7.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 7.6 mi | 5.3 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 9.3 mi | 6.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 9.4 mi | 6.3 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 9.1 mi | 7.9 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 8.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 10.3 mi | 8.9 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 10.5 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 9.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 10.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Pennington Middle Pennington Gap | 11.9 mi | 7.6 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 13.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Elk Knob Elementary Pennington Gap | 13.6 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40815 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$44,453
Median Home Value
$65,900
Population
815
College Educated
27.7%
Homeownership
84.1%
Poverty Rate
12.5%
Median Age
46.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| A B Chandler Elementary School Corydon, KY | 7.6 |
| Clinton County Early Childhood Center Albany, KY | 7.6 |
| ST EDWARD SCHOOL Louisville, KY | 7.6 |
| ST RITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Louisville, KY | 7.6 |
| Eastern Elementary School Pleasureville, KY | 7.5 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss, KY | 7.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cawood Elementary School
What grades does Cawood Elementary School serve?
Cawood Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Cawood Elementary School?
Cawood Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 209 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cawood Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cawood Elementary School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cawood Elementary School rank in KY?
Cawood Elementary School ranks #268 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Cawood Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cawood Elementary 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 Cawood Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cawood Elementary School has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 58% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cawood Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cawood Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cawood Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cawood Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cawood Elementary School?
89.0% of students at Cawood 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 209
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Harlan County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 39.7%
- Phone
- (606) 573-2502
Resources & Links
District
Harlan County- District Enrollment
- 3,361
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,946
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
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