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Excellent

#145 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 11% in state

Jesse D Lay Elementary School

Elementary School · Knox County

220 N Allison Ave, Barbourville, KY 40906

Enrollment

306

Student-Teacher

12.8:1

Score

8.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#145 of 1,284

In Barbourville

#4 of 8

public schools

In district

#6 of 11

Knox County

School environment

8.9 / 10

Excellent

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Jesse D Lay Elementary School

8.2/10

Elementary School in Barbourville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Knox Inspire Academy

2.5/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Knox County Middle School

8.9/10

0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Jesse D Lay Elementary School

Jesse D Lay Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barbourville, KY, part of Knox County. Jesse D Lay Elementary School serves approximately 306 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Jesse D Lay Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 out of 10 and ranks #145 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Jesse D Lay Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.4 pts above district
  • This school 8.2 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.8
  • KY avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.85 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.3% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency60.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency57% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+13.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,730
Chronic Absenteeism26.5%

Jesse D Lay Elementary School — Students at Jesse D Lay Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 50.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 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
80%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
82%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
53%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2015
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
62%
2017
Math
47%
ELA
62%
2018
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
47%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
53.3%
ELA
60.7%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Jesse D Lay Elementary School Compares

See how Jesse D Lay Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.2/10
89th percentile in KY
Academic
8.8/10
Excellent
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
8.9/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

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

220 N Allison Ave, Barbourville, KY 40906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Jesse D Lay Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. G R Hampton Elementary School (rated 9.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Flat Lick Elementary School (rated 9.2/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Flat Lick), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Dewitt Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 8.1 miles away, in nearby Flat Lick), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Barbourville, see our Barbourville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Knox Inspire Academy Barbourville 0.5 mi 2.5
Knox County Middle School Barbourville 0.5 mi 8.9
Knox County Learning Academy Barbourville 0.6 mi 6.6
Knox County Day Treatment Barbourville 0.6 mi
Barbourville City School Barbourville 0.6 mi 6.9
Barbourville Learning Center Barbourville 0.6 mi
G R Hampton Elementary School Barbourville 1.5 mi 9.6
Central Elementary School Barbourville 2.0 mi 8.8
Knox Appalachian School Barbourville 2.0 mi
Knox Central High School Barbourville 2.7 mi 6.1
Girdler Elementary School Girdler 5.2 mi 6.2
Flat Lick Elementary School Flat Lick 6.0 mi 9.2
Dewitt Elementary School Flat Lick 8.1 mi 8.9
Lone Jack School Center Fourmile 9.4 mi 7.1
Lynn Camp Middle High School Corbin 10.0 mi
Lynn Camp Elementary School Corbin 10.1 mi 3.8
Whitley County East Elementary School Siler 11.4 mi 8.6
Camp Ground Elementary School London 13.3 mi 7.8
Pineville Independent School Pineville 12.6 mi 8.2
Corbin Middle School Corbin 12.5 mi 7.5

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40906 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$22,355

Median Home Value

$120,900

Median Rent

$660/mo

Population

10,560

College Educated

18.1%

Homeownership

62.3%

Poverty Rate

39.2%

Median Age

38.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Lexington, KY 8.2
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr, KY 8.2
Hickman County Elementary School Clinton, KY 8.2
Kathryn Winn Primary Carrollton, KY 8.2
Lone Oak Intermediate School Paducah, KY 8.2
Morgan Elementary School Paducah, KY 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Jesse D Lay Elementary School

What grades does Jesse D Lay Elementary School serve?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 306 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Jesse D Lay Elementary School is 12.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Jesse D Lay Elementary School rank in KY?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School ranks #145 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Jesse D Lay Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.2 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 Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Jesse D Lay Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Jesse D Lay Elementary School a charter school?

No, Jesse D Lay Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Jesse D Lay Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Jesse D Lay Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

61.1% of students at Jesse D Lay 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
42 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Town
County
Knox County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.5%

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
3,809
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,730
District Rank
#6 of 11

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