Average
#411 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 32% in state
Harlan County High School
High School · Harlan County
4000 N Us Hwy 119, Baxter, KY 40806
Enrollment
944
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
944
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Baxter
#1 of 2
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#96 of 279
In district
#1 of 9
Harlan County
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About Harlan County High School
Harlan County High School serves 944 students in grades 9-12 in Baxter, Kentucky, with a student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 and 69 full-time equivalent teachers. The school currently ranks #934 out of 1,288 high schools statewide, placing it in the 28th percentile with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 33% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and Reading, while 20% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
These results indicate opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from a community where the median household income is $54,122 and median home values average $121,800. About 20% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with a poverty rate of 12.2% in the surrounding area.
The ZIP code population of 1,664 reflects the close-knit nature of this Harlan County community. Harlan County High School is situated in a rural setting near town along North US Highway 119, providing students with a traditional small-town educational environment in the heart of eastern Kentucky's mountain region.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Harlan County High 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
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Harlan County High School — Students at Harlan County High School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
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: 7.4/10.
How Harlan County High School Compares
See how Harlan County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 20% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 33% (2022).
Location
4000 N Us Hwy 119, Baxter, KY 40806
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harlan County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Thomas Walker High (rated 8.4/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harlan High School (rated 6.0/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Harlan), with a comparable rating. Additionally, APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Grays Knob), a more accessible option. For more schools in Baxter, see our Baxter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 0.8 mi | 5.3 |
| Harlan Elementary School Harlan | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 3.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Harlan High School Harlan | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 4.7 mi | 6.8 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 5.8 mi | 5.8 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 5.7 mi | 5.2 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 6.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 7.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 8.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss | 13.6 mi | 8.7 |
| Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston | 14.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 15.2 mi | 3.5 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 13.3 mi | 8.2 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 16.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 14.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 16.3 mi | 6.1 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 18.0 mi | 8.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40806 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$57,135
Median Home Value
$111,600
Median Rent
$696/mo
Population
1,827
College Educated
17.5%
Homeownership
75.4%
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Median Age
48.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harlan County High School has a median household income of $57,135. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $111,600, with a median rent of $696/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Butler County High School Morgantown, KY | 6.9 |
| Corbin High School Corbin, KY | 6.9 |
| Elizabethtown High School Elizabethtown, KY | 6.9 |
| Madison Southern High School Berea, KY | 6.9 |
| Paducah Tilghman High School Paducah, KY | 6.9 |
| Murray High School Murray, KY | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harlan County High School
What grades does Harlan County High School serve?
Harlan County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Harlan County High School?
Harlan County High School has an enrollment of approximately 944 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlan County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harlan County High School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harlan County High School rank in KY?
Harlan County High School is ranked #411 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan County High School has a composite rating of 6.9 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 Harlan County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlan County High School has 21.3% math proficiency and 33.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harlan County High School a charter school?
No, Harlan County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harlan County High School a Title I school?
No, Harlan County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harlan County High School?
83.3% of students at Harlan County High 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
- Walk Score
- 3 Car-Dependent
- County Safety
- Low (103/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 944
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Harlan County
- Phone
- (606) 574-2020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlan County- District Enrollment
- 3,361
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,946
- District Rank
- #1 of 9
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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