Below Average

#1161 of 1,284 schools in KY

Herald Whitaker Middle School

Middle School · Magoffin County

221 Hornet Drive, Salyersville, KY 41465

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

249

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

4.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Enrollment

249

Student-Teacher

11.3:1

Score

4.0

Grades

7th – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,161 of 1,284

In Salyersville

#5 of 5

public schools

In district

#5 of 5

Magoffin County

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Middle School in Salyersville · grades 7th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Herald Whitaker Middle School

Herald Whitaker Middle School is a public middle school in Salyersville, KY, part of Magoffin County. Herald Whitaker Middle School serves approximately 249 students, and covers grades 7th-8th, and has a 11.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Herald Whitaker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,161 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Herald Whitaker Middle School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts below KY schools

4.0

This school 4.0 · Below Average
KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Herald Whitaker Middle 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.

53% of students at Herald Whitaker Middle 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 metrics

Student Progress4.0Below Average40%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data15

Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr

Data Period2009–2025

TrendDeclining

Academics3.1Needs Improvement35%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency18.5% (2025 KSA)

Reading/ELA Proficiency31.5% (2025 KSA)

Overall Proficiency25% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)

vs. Expected-15.3 pts

Adjusted Percentile12th

Resources & Environment5.3Average25%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio11.3:1

Per-Pupil Spending$13,618

Chronic Absenteeism53.4%

Herald Whitaker Middle School — Students at Herald Whitaker Middle School score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 33 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009

Math

68%

ELA

65%

2010

Math

62%

ELA

59%

2011

Math

22%

ELA

34%

2012

Math

43%

ELA

46%

2013

Math

42%

ELA

51%

2014

Math

28%

ELA

44%

2015

Math

33%

ELA

46%

2016

Math

42%

ELA

52%

2017

Math

40%

ELA

54%

2018

Math

39%

ELA

46%

2019

Math

39%

ELA

46%

2020*

Math

13%

ELA

32%

2021*

Math

13%

ELA

32%

2022

Math

21%

ELA

38%

2025

Math

18.5%

ELA

31.5%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Herald Whitaker Middle School Compares

See how Herald Whitaker Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

4.0/10

10th percentile in KY

Academic

3.1/10

Needs Improvement

Growth

4.0/10

Below Average

Environment

5.3/10

Average

Gifted & Talented

Yes

Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

68%

Teaching Staff

11:1 student-teacher ratio

22 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

53.4%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available

This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

221 Hornet Drive, Salyersville, KY 41465

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Herald Whitaker Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Johnson County Middle School (rated 7.0/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Paintsville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Morgan County Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby West Liberty), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Salyersville, see our Salyersville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Salyersville Grade School Salyersville	0.1 mi	505	4.9
North Magoffin Elementary Salyersville	1.6 mi	407	4.8
Magoffin County High School Salyersville	2.2 mi	586	5.4
South Magoffin Elementary Salyersville	6.9 mi	199	5.4
East Valley Elementary School West Liberty	15.5 mi	119	8.8
FAITH HILLS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Liberty	16.9 mi	31	5.4
Highland Elementary School Staffordsville	13.8 mi	407	6.6
Morgan County High School West Liberty	15.7 mi	533	6.3
Morgan County Middle School West Liberty	15.7 mi	376	5.3
Morgan County Area Technology Center West Liberty	15.8 mi	1	—
Morgan Central Elementary School West Liberty	15.6 mi	280	4.4
Prestonsburg Elementary School Prestonsburg	15.0 mi	662	3.1
Johnson Central High School Paintsville	15.1 mi	913	8.3
Johnson County Eagle Academy Paintsville	15.1 mi	149	6.1
Johnson County Middle School Paintsville	15.1 mi	443	7.0
Flat Gap Elementary School Flatgap	17.0 mi	229	6.7
OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS SCHOOL Paintsville	15.4 mi	18	—
Paintsville Elementary School Paintsville	15.5 mi	453	6.7
Paintsville High School Paintsville	15.6 mi	321	7.7
THE PIARIST SCHOOL Hager Hill	16.1 mi	31	7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41465 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$34,012

Median Home Value

$94,100

Median Rent

$634/mo

Population

10,539

College Educated

14.2%

Homeownership

77.8%

Avg Commute

32.4 min

Poverty Rate

33.2%

Median Age

41.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School	Enrollment	Rating
Metcalfe County Middle School Edmonton, KY	338	3.9
James D. Adams Middle School Prestonsburg, KY	302	4.2
OWENSBORO CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4-6 CAMPUS Owensboro, KY	277	4.4
Lexington Trad Magnet School Lexington, KY	299	4.6
Paris Middle School Paris, KY	153	4.8
Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield, KY	305	5.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Herald Whitaker Middle School

What grades does Herald Whitaker Middle School serve?

Herald Whitaker Middle School serves students in grades 7th through 8th.

How many students attend Herald Whitaker Middle School?

Herald Whitaker Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 249 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Herald Whitaker Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Herald Whitaker Middle School is 11.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Herald Whitaker Middle School rank in KY?

Herald Whitaker Middle School ranks #1,161 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Herald Whitaker Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Herald Whitaker Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Herald Whitaker Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Herald Whitaker Middle School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Herald Whitaker Middle School a charter school?

No, Herald Whitaker Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Herald Whitaker Middle School a Title I school?

No, Herald Whitaker Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Herald Whitaker Middle School?

68.3% of students at Herald Whitaker Middle 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.