Average
#721 of 1,284 schools in KY
Harlan High School
High School · Harlan Independent
420 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlan
#1 of 4
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#174 of 279
In district
#1 of 3
Harlan Independent
Academic performance
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Harlan High School
Harlan High School is a regular public school located in the heart of Harlan, Kentucky. Serving students from fifth through twelfth grade, it has an enrollment of 449 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.6:1. The school offers a supportive learning environment with 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their students.
Harlan High School's academic performance reflects areas for growth but also highlights strengths in certain subjects. With a MySchoolScout rating of 6.2 out of 10 and ranking at 395 out of 1,288 schools in Kentucky (placing it around the 69th percentile), the school is working to improve its overall academic standing. In ELA/Reading, 54% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, 39% are proficient or above.
The town setting of Harlan provides a close-knit community atmosphere for both students and staff at Harlan High School.
Score Breakdown
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Harlan High School — Students at Harlan High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
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: 7.1/10.
How Harlan High School Compares
See how Harlan High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 58% (2019) to 54% (2022).
Location
420 E Central St, Harlan, KY 40831
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Harlan High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Thomas Walker High (rated 8.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Harlan County High School (rated 6.9/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Baxter), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY (rated 5.8/10, 3.0 miles away, in nearby Grays Knob), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan Elementary School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 5.3 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 3.0 mi | 5.8 |
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 3.0 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 | 5.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 6.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 7.1 mi | 6.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 8.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 8.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 12.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 14.6 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| Bath County High School Owingsville, KY | 6.0 |
| Green County High School Greensburg, KY | 6.0 |
| Prestonsburg High School Prestonsburg, KY | 6.0 |
| Success Academy Lexington, KY | 6.0 |
| ST HENRY DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL Erlanger, KY | 6.1 |
| Carroll County High School Carrollton, KY | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Harlan High School
What grades does Harlan High School serve?
Harlan High School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.
How many students attend Harlan High School?
Harlan High School has an enrollment of approximately 449 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Harlan High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Harlan High School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Harlan High School rank in KY?
Harlan High School is ranked #721 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan High School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Harlan High School has 38.7% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Harlan High School a charter school?
No, Harlan High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Harlan High School a Title I school?
No, Harlan High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Harlan High School?
64.4% of students at Harlan 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
- City Safety
- Elevated (937/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 5th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 449
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Harlan County
- Phone
- (606) 573-8750
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
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
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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