Very Good
#432 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 34% in state
Harlan Elementary School
Elementary School · Harlan Independent
420 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#432 of 1,284
In Harlan
#2 of 4
public schools
In district
#1 of 3
Harlan Independent
Academic performance
8.1 / 10
Excellent
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Harlan Elementary School
Elementary School in Harlan · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harlan High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Sunshine School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Harlan Elementary School
Harlan Elementary School is a public elementary school in Harlan, KY, part of Harlan Independent. Harlan Elementary School serves approximately 352 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlan Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 out of 10 and ranks #432 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Harlan Elementary School show 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.0 · Very Good
- KY avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
38% of students at Harlan 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
Harlan Elementary School — Students at Harlan Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 33 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: 7.7/10.
How Harlan Elementary School Compares
See how Harlan 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
420 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harlan Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Green Hills Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 4.0 miles away, in nearby Bledsoe), which scores notably higher. Another option is James A. Cawood Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, St. Charles Elementary (rated 7.7/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan High School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 5.9 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 3.3 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 2.6 mi | 8.8 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| Harlan County High School Baxter | 3.5 mi | 6.2 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 5.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 6.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 7.0 mi | 5.5 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 8.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 12.1 mi | 6.6 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 14.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston | 16.0 mi | 7.0 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss | 16.7 mi | 7.5 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 15.6 mi | 7.9 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 15.0 mi | 6.4 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 14.7 mi | 7.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40831 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,417
Median Home Value
$106,500
Median Rent
$567/mo
Population
4,719
College Educated
19.4%
Homeownership
56.7%
Poverty Rate
25.7%
Median Age
42.1
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bell Central School Center Pineville, KY | 7.0 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts, KY | 7.0 |
| Ezra Sparrow Early Childhood Center Lawrenceburg, KY | 7.0 |
| Garden Springs Elementary School Lexington, KY | 7.0 |
| Lyon County Elementary School Eddyville, KY | 7.0 |
| SACRED HEART MODEL SCHOOL Louisville, KY | 7.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harlan Elementary School
What grades does Harlan Elementary School serve?
Harlan Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Harlan Elementary School?
Harlan Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 352 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlan Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harlan Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harlan Elementary School rank in KY?
Harlan Elementary School ranks #432 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.0 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 Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlan Elementary School has 53% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Harlan Elementary School a charter school?
No, Harlan Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harlan Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Harlan Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harlan Elementary School?
71.3% of students at Harlan 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
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 352
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Harlan County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 38.4%
- Phone
- (606) 573-8715
Resources & Links
District
Harlan Independent- District Enrollment
- 920
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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