Average
#889 of 1,284 schools in KY
Harlan Elementary School
Elementary School · Harlan Independent
420 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
352
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
5.5
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlan
#2 of 4
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#487 of 708
In district
#2 of 3
Harlan Independent
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Harlan Elementary School
Harlan Elementary School serves 352 students in grades kindergarten through fourth in the heart of Harlan, Kentucky. With 22 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 16:1 student-teacher ratio that allows for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a 7.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking 226th out of 1,288 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 82nd percentile among Kentucky schools.
Students show particular strength in English Language Arts and reading, with 67% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels. Mathematics presents an area with room for growth, as 42% of students currently meet or exceed proficiency standards. Harlan Elementary operates within a close-knit community where the median household income is $29,746 and nearly 40% of families face economic challenges.
Despite these circumstances, the school's solid academic standing reflects the dedication of its staff and the resilience of its student body. Located at 420 East Central Street, Harlan Elementary sits in the scenic Appalachian region of southeastern Kentucky, serving families in a town setting where education remains a priority despite economic hardships.
Score Breakdown
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Harlan Elementary School — Students at Harlan Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.3%
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: 3.4/10.
How Harlan Elementary School Compares
See how Harlan Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 77% (2019) to 67% (2022).
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. Hayes Lewis Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Yeaddiss), which scores notably higher. Another option is St. Charles Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Stinnett Elementary School (rated 7.2/10, 16.0 miles away, in nearby Hoskinston), which scores notably 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 | 6.0 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 6.9 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.0 mi | 6.7 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 6.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 7.0 mi | 6.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 8.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 12.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 14.7 mi | 8.4 |
| Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston | 16.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss | 16.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 15.6 mi | 6.1 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 15.0 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 14.7 mi | 8.2 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Harlan Elementary School has a median household income of $35,417. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,500, with a median rent of $567/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Bonnieville Elementary School Bonnieville, KY | 5.5 |
| Bourbon Central Elementary School Paris, KY | 5.5 |
| Inez Elementary School Inez, KY | 5.5 |
| Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey, KY | 5.5 |
| Lyon County Elementary School Eddyville, KY | 5.5 |
| Oakland Elementary Oakland, KY | 5.5 |
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 is ranked #889 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlan Elementary School has 50.3% math proficiency and 63.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (937/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlan). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (606) 573-8715
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlan Independent- District Enrollment
- 920
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #2 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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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