Average
#747 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
5.9
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
449
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
5.9
Grades
5th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#747 of 1,284
In Harlan
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#2 of 3
Harlan Independent
Academic performance
7.5 / 10
Very Good
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Harlan High School
High School in Harlan · grades 5th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Harlan Elementary 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 High School
Harlan High School is a public high school in Harlan, KY, part of Harlan Independent. Harlan High School serves approximately 449 students, and covers grades 5th-12th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Harlan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #747 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Harlan High School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.9 · Average
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Harlan 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 High School — Students at Harlan High School score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 43 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: 5.3/10.
How Harlan High School Compares
See how Harlan 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
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 7.7/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Another option is Lee High (rated 6.4/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Harlan County High School (rated 6.2/10, 3.5 miles away, in nearby Baxter), 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 | 7.0 |
| Sunshine School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 3.3 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 2.5 mi | 8.8 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.0 mi | 8.9 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 5.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 6.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 7.1 mi | 5.5 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 8.6 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 8.3 mi | 7.0 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 12.0 mi | 6.6 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.4 mi | 6.8 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 14.6 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 |
|---|---|
| Carter G. Woodson Academy Lexington, KY | 5.9 |
| The Phoenix School of Discovery Louisville, KY | 5.9 |
| STEAM Academy Lexington, KY | 6.0 |
| West Carter County High School Olive Hill, KY | 6.0 |
| East Ridge High School Lick Creek, KY | 5.8 |
| Edmonson County High School Brownsville, KY | 6.1 |
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 ranks #747 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Harlan High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Harlan High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Harlan High School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.5%
- Phone
- (606) 573-8750
- 4-Year Graduation
- 90%+
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
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