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Average

#767 of 1,284 schools in KY

Knox Central High School

High School · Knox County

100 Panther Way, Barbourville, KY 40906

Enrollment

751

Student-Teacher

15.3:1

Score

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Barbourville

#6 of 8

public schools

Kentucky high schools

#184 of 279

In district

#8 of 11

Knox County

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Knox Central High School

Knox Central High School serves students in grades 9 through 12 in Barbourville, Kentucky, a rural community in Knox County. The school enrolls 751 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1, supported by 49 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Knox Central is working to strengthen student performance, with current proficiency levels showing room for growth.

In English language arts and reading, 34% of students are performing at or above proficiency, while 24% of students are meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in mathematics. The school's overall academic score is 4.3 out of 10, and it ranks at the 45th percentile among Kentucky's schools, placing it #711 out of 1,288 statewide. As a regular public high school, Knox Central offers a traditional four-year program for secondary students in this rural area.

The school's setting near Barbourville provides the character of a small-town educational community where students receive direct support from an accessible faculty.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Knox Central High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics6.1Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected+2.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile44th
College Readiness1.9Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.6Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,050

Knox Central High School — Students at Knox Central High School score 34% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 23.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 33.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
42%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Knox Central High School Compares

See how Knox Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
40th percentile in KY
Academic
6.1/10
6.1/10
Growth
9.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

100 Panther Way, Barbourville, KY 40906

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Knox Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Knox County Learning Academy (rated 7.5/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Bell County High School (rated 6.3/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Pineville), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Barbourville, see our Barbourville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.6 mi
School Distance Rating
Knox Appalachian School Barbourville 0.8 mi
Central Elementary School Barbourville 1.3 mi 6.4
Jesse D Lay Elementary School Barbourville 2.7 mi 9.0
Knox Inspire Academy Barbourville 3.0 mi 4.4
G R Hampton Elementary School Barbourville 3.3 mi 6.9
Knox County Middle School Barbourville 3.2 mi 6.4
Knox County Learning Academy Barbourville 3.3 mi 7.5
Flat Lick Elementary School Flat Lick 3.5 mi 6.8
Knox County Day Treatment Barbourville 3.3 mi
Barbourville City School Barbourville 3.3 mi 5.2
Barbourville Learning Center Barbourville 3.3 mi
Girdler Elementary School Girdler 4.9 mi 5.3
Dewitt Elementary School Flat Lick 5.4 mi 5.0
Lone Jack School Center Fourmile 7.2 mi 4.2
Pineville Independent School Pineville 10.4 mi 7.6
Whitley County East Elementary School Siler 12.8 mi 7.8
Bell Central School Center Pineville 13.2 mi 6.2
Bell County High School Pineville 13.3 mi 6.3
Lynn Camp Middle High School Corbin 12.5 mi
Lynn Camp Elementary School Corbin 12.6 mi 8.0

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 Knox Central High 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
Bourbon County High School Paris, KY 5.9
Greenup County High School Greenup, KY 5.9
Mercer County Senior High School Harrodsburg, KY 5.9
Taylor County High School Campbellsville, KY 5.9
Western Hills High School Frankfort, KY 5.9
ASSUMPTION HIGH SCHOOL Louisville, KY 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Knox Central High School

What grades does Knox Central High School serve?

Knox Central High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Knox Central High School?

Knox Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 751 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Knox Central High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Knox Central High School is 15.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Knox Central High School rank in KY?

Knox Central High School is ranked #767 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Knox Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Knox Central High School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Knox Central High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Knox Central High School has 23.7% math proficiency and 33.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Knox Central High School a charter school?

No, Knox Central High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Knox Central High School a Title I school?

No, Knox Central High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Knox Central High School?

75.2% of students at Knox Central 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Elevated (1,056/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Barbourville). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
751
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Knox County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Knox County
District Enrollment
3,809
Schools in District
15
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,730
District Rank
#8 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.

Read our full methodology

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