Average
#649 of 1,284 schools in KY
Harlan County High School
High School · Harlan County
4000 N Us Hwy 119, Baxter, KY 40806
Enrollment
944
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
944
Student-Teacher
13.7:1
Score
6.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#649 of 1,284
In Baxter
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#6 of 9
Harlan County
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Harlan County High School
High School in Baxter · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Rosspoint Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harlan Elementary School
3.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harlan County High School
Harlan County High School is a public high school in Baxter, KY, part of Harlan County. Harlan County High School serves approximately 944 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlan County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranks #649 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Harlan County High School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.2 · Average
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Harlan County High 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.
51% of students at Harlan County High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Harlan County High School — Students at Harlan County High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 31 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Harlan County High School Compares
See how Harlan County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 7.7/10, 18.0 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee High (rated 6.4/10, 14.9 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Harlan High School (rated 5.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Harlan), with a very similar rating. 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 | 7.0 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 3.5 mi | 3.3 |
| Harlan High School Harlan | 3.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.1 mi | 8.9 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 4.7 mi | 5.5 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 5.8 mi | 5.8 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 5.7 mi | 8.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 5.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 6.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 7.4 mi | 7.6 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 8.7 mi | 5.6 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss | 13.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston | 14.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 15.2 mi | 6.6 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 13.3 mi | 7.7 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 16.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 14.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 16.3 mi | 7.9 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 18.0 mi | 7.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Christian County High School Hopkinsville, KY | 6.2 |
| Martha Layne Collins High School Shelbyville, KY | 6.2 |
| Union County High School Morganfield, KY | 6.2 |
| Western Hills High School Frankfort, KY | 6.2 |
| Muhlenberg County High School Greenville, KY | 6.3 |
| Rowan County Senior High School Morehead, KY | 6.3 |
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 ranks #649 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 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 Harlan County High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlan County High School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 50.7%
- Phone
- (606) 574-2020
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90.0%
Resources & Links
District
Harlan County- District Enrollment
- 3,361
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,946
- District Rank
- #6 of 9
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