Excellent
#15 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 1% 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
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
306
Student-Teacher
12.8:1
Score
9.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Barbourville
#1 of 8
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#12 of 708
In district
#1 of 11
Knox County
Academic performance
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About Jesse D Lay Elementary School
Jesse D Lay Elementary School is a regular public school in Barbourville, Kentucky, serving 306 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.0 out of 10 — labeled Exceptional on this platform — built on a 9.4 academic score and an 8.7 growth score. Both numbers put the school in rare territory.
Those scores place Lay among Kentucky's highest-performing public schools. It ranks 15th out of 1,284 public schools statewide, outperforming 99% of all Kentucky schools. Among the state's 708 elementary schools, the picture is equally strong: Lay sits 12th.
Locally, it holds the top spot among all eight public schools in Barbourville. A student-teacher ratio of 12.8 to 1 keeps class sizes small and gives teachers consistent contact with each student. The 8.7 growth score shows that students here are advancing at an above-average rate — a signal, alongside the 9.4 academic score, that the school delivers high outcomes and consistent year-over-year progress.
For families evaluating elementary options in the Barbourville area, Lay's combination of a top-15 statewide rank and first place locally sets a clear standard.
Score Breakdown
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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: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.1%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 8.7/10.
How Jesse D Lay Elementary School Compares
See how Jesse D Lay Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 62% (2022).
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. Lynn Camp Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 10.1 miles away, in nearby Corbin), with a comparable rating. Another option is Whitley County East Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 11.4 miles away, in nearby Siler), a more accessible option. Additionally, Camp Ground Elementary School (rated 7.8/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby London), a more accessible option. 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 | 4.4 |
| Knox County Middle School Barbourville | 0.5 mi | 6.4 |
| Knox County Learning Academy Barbourville | 0.6 mi | 7.5 |
| Knox County Day Treatment Barbourville | 0.6 mi | — |
| Barbourville City School Barbourville | 0.6 mi | 5.2 |
| Barbourville Learning Center Barbourville | 0.6 mi | — |
| G R Hampton Elementary School Barbourville | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Central Elementary School Barbourville | 2.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Knox Appalachian School Barbourville | 2.0 mi | — |
| Knox Central High School Barbourville | 2.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Girdler Elementary School Girdler | 5.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Flat Lick Elementary School Flat Lick | 6.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Dewitt Elementary School Flat Lick | 8.1 mi | 5.0 |
| Lone Jack School Center Fourmile | 9.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Lynn Camp Middle High School Corbin | 10.0 mi | — |
| Lynn Camp Elementary School Corbin | 10.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Whitley County East Elementary School Siler | 11.4 mi | 7.8 |
| Camp Ground Elementary School London | 13.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Pineville Independent School Pineville | 12.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Corbin Middle School Corbin | 12.5 mi | 7.1 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Jesse D Lay Elementary School has a median household income of $22,355. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $120,900, with a median rent of $660/month. The area has a poverty rate of 39.2%, 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 |
|---|---|
| Cairo Elementary School Henderson, KY | 9.0 |
| CORBIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corbin, KY | 8.9 |
| Emmalena Elementary School Emmalena, KY | 9.1 |
| Kyrock Elementary School Sweeden, KY | 8.9 |
| Ponderosa Elementary School Catlettsburg, KY | 8.9 |
| Squires Elementary School Lexington, KY | 8.9 |
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 is ranked #15 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Jesse D Lay Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Jesse D Lay Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.0 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 Jesse D Lay Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Jesse D Lay Elementary School has 43.7% math proficiency and 62.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Barbourville). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (606) 645-2849
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Knox County- District Enrollment
- 3,809
- Schools in District
- 15
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,730
- District Rank
- #1 of 11
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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