Average

#865 of 1,284 schools in KY

Cowan Elementary School

Elementary School · Letcher County

3125 Highway 931 S, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

244

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Enrollment

244

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#865 of 1,284

In Whitesburg

#4 of 5

public schools

In district

#7 of 8

Letcher County

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Elementary School in Whitesburg · grades Pre-K – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Cowan Elementary School

Cowan Elementary School is a public elementary school in Whitesburg, KY, part of Letcher County. Cowan Elementary School serves approximately 244 students, and covers grades Pre-K-8th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Cowan Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #865 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Cowan Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below district

5.5

This school 5.5 · Average
District avg 6.0
KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Cowan 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.

66% of students at Cowan 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 Progress5.6Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data15

Annual Change-1.43 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics6.5Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency37.5% (2025 KSA)

Reading/ELA Proficiency43.8% (2025 KSA)

Overall Proficiency41% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)

vs. Expected+4.4 pts

Adjusted Percentile49th

Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1

Per-Pupil Spending$20,652

Chronic Absenteeism66.4%

Cowan Elementary School — Students at Cowan Elementary School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 50.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 41 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

68%

ELA

74%

2010

Math

62%

ELA

65%

2011

Math

35%

ELA

39%

2012

Math

38%

ELA

47%

2013

Math

40%

ELA

56%

2014

Math

36%

ELA

57%

2015

Math

41%

ELA

56%

2016

Math

40%

ELA

54%

2017

Math

31%

ELA

53%

2018

Math

30%

ELA

55%

2019

Math

30%

ELA

55%

2020*

Math

22%

ELA

42%

2021*

Math

22%

ELA

42%

2022

Math

27%

ELA

47%

2025

Math

37.5%

ELA

43.8%

* 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: 5.6/10.

How Cowan Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

5.5/10

33th percentile in KY

Academic

6.5/10

Average

Growth

5.6/10

Average

Environment

4.0/10

Below Average

Gifted & Talented

Yes

Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

78%

Teaching Staff

15:1 student-teacher ratio

16 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

66.4%

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

3125 Highway 931 S, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cowan Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. J.W. Adams Combined (rated 9.6/10, 13.5 miles away, in nearby Pound), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union Primary (rated 9.1/10, 15.6 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Norton Elementary (rated 8.4/10, 16.1 miles away, in nearby Norton), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whitesburg, see our Whitesburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.4 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg	1.8 mi	189	7.5
West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg	1.8 mi	433	6.2
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg	2.4 mi	4	—
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg	3.4 mi	706	7.2
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia	3.7 mi	131	6.1
Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey	6.6 mi	336	8.0
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg	7.1 mi	287	4.2
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon	9.9 mi	137	6.1
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland	11.2 mi	451	6.5
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr	11.8 mi	357	8.2
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins	11.9 mi	482	6.8
Union Primary Big Stone Gap	15.6 mi	830	9.1
Union Middle Big Stone Gap	15.7 mi	569	8.3
Union High Big Stone Gap	15.9 mi	567	8.0
J.W. Adams Combined Pound	13.5 mi	512	9.6
Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost	17.8 mi	182	3.2
Knott County Central High School Hindman	17.3 mi	553	7.2
J.I. Burton High Norton	16.2 mi	316	8.4
Norton Elementary Norton	16.1 mi	491	8.4
Hindman Elementary School Hindman	18.4 mi	439	5.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41858 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,363

Median Home Value

$101,700

Median Rent

$635/mo

Population

7,958

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

38.3%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Bloomfield Elementary School Bloomfield, KY	230	5.5
Cub Run Elementary School Cub Run, KY	205	5.5
Hacker Elementary School Manchester, KY	273	5.5
Jonathan Elementary School Benton, KY	244	5.5
ST MARY OF THE WOODS SCHOOL Whitesville, KY	223	5.5
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Louisville, KY	207	5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cowan Elementary School

What grades does Cowan Elementary School serve?

Cowan Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Cowan Elementary School?

Cowan Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 244 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Cowan Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cowan Elementary School rank in KY?

Cowan Elementary School ranks #865 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Cowan Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cowan Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Cowan Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cowan Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 50% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cowan Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Cowan Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

77.9% of students at Cowan 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.