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Excellent

#64 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 5% in state

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · Knox County

1000 Ky 3439, Barbourville, KY 40906

Enrollment

311

Student-Teacher

13.5:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#64 of 1,284

In Barbourville

#3 of 8

public schools

In district

#5 of 11

Knox County

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Central Elementary School

8.8/10

Elementary School in Barbourville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Knox Appalachian School

Nearby

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

Knox Central High School

6.1/10

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

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barbourville, KY, part of Knox County. Central Elementary School serves approximately 311 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #64 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Central Elementary School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above district
  • This school 8.8 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

51% of students at Central 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 metrics
Student Progress9.7Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change+0.35 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency68.3% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency67% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency68% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+35.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,730
Chronic Absenteeism51.4%

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

87.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 48.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
60%
ELA
63%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
34%
ELA
33%
2013
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
49%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
39%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
61%
2020*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
68.3%
ELA
67%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.8/10
95th percentile in KY
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.7/10
Excellent
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
88%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
23 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

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

1000 Ky 3439, Barbourville, KY 40906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. G R Hampton Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Flat Lick Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Flat Lick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dewitt Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Flat Lick), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Barbourville, see our Barbourville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Knox Appalachian School Barbourville 1.0 mi
Knox Central High School Barbourville 1.3 mi 6.1
Jesse D Lay Elementary School Barbourville 2.0 mi 8.2
G R Hampton Elementary School Barbourville 2.1 mi 9.6
Knox Inspire Academy Barbourville 2.1 mi 2.5
Knox County Middle School Barbourville 2.4 mi 8.9
Knox County Learning Academy Barbourville 2.4 mi 6.6
Knox County Day Treatment Barbourville 2.4 mi
Barbourville City School Barbourville 2.6 mi 6.9
Barbourville Learning Center Barbourville 2.6 mi
Flat Lick Elementary School Flat Lick 4.0 mi 9.2
Girdler Elementary School Girdler 5.7 mi 6.2
Dewitt Elementary School Flat Lick 6.5 mi 8.9
Lone Jack School Center Fourmile 7.4 mi 7.1
Pineville Independent School Pineville 10.6 mi 8.2
Whitley County East Elementary School Siler 11.5 mi 8.6
Lynn Camp Middle High School Corbin 12.1 mi
Lynn Camp Elementary School Corbin 12.1 mi 3.8
Bell Central School Center Pineville 13.1 mi 7.0
Bell County High School Pineville 13.3 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$22,355

Median Home Value

$120,900

Median Rent

$660/mo

Population

10,560

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

62.3%

Poverty Rate

39.2%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan, KY 8.8
Charles H. Kelly Elementary School Burlington, KY 8.9
Hazel Green Elementary School East Bernstadt, KY 8.9
John G Carlisle Elementary Covington, KY 8.9
McKee Elementary School Mckee, KY 8.9
Ponderosa Elementary School Catlettsburg, KY 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 311 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 13.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in KY?

Central Elementary School ranks #64 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Central Elementary School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

No, Central Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Central Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Central Elementary School?

87.5% of students at Central 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
311
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.5:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Free/Reduced Lunch
87.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Knox County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
51.4%

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
3,809
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,730
District Rank
#5 of 11

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