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Average

#688 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

6.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#688 of 1,284

In Barbourville

#7 of 8

public schools

In district

#9 of 11

Knox County

Academic growth

8.7 / 10

Excellent

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Knox Central High School

6.1/10

High School in Barbourville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Knox Appalachian School

Nearby

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

Central Elementary School

8.8/10

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

About Knox Central High School

Knox Central High School is a public high school in Barbourville, KY, part of Knox County. Knox Central High School serves approximately 751 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 15.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Knox Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 and ranks #688 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Knox Central High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.1 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Knox Central High 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.

60% of students at Knox Central 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 metrics
Student Progress8.7Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.4Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency46% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile61th
College Readiness5.1Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation1.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.9Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,730
Chronic Absenteeism60.2%

Knox Central High School — Students at Knox Central High School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

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 KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 32.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 41.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 32 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
42%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
22%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
12%
ELA
44%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
38%
2014
Math
39%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
67%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
53%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
32%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2025
Math
46%
ELA
45%

* 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 Knox Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.1/10
47th percentile in KY
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
8.7/10
Excellent
Environment
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
AP Courses
2
State avg: 2.6
Sports
18
9 boys' · 9 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
60.2%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs2 AP courses offered
1.2% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics18sports offered
9 boys'·9 girls'·18 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. Bell County High School (rated 6.7/10, 13.3 miles away, in nearby Pineville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Knox County Learning Academy (rated 6.6/10, 3.3 miles away), 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 8.8
Jesse D Lay Elementary School Barbourville 2.7 mi 8.2
Knox Inspire Academy Barbourville 3.0 mi 2.5
G R Hampton Elementary School Barbourville 3.3 mi 9.6
Knox County Middle School Barbourville 3.2 mi 8.9
Knox County Learning Academy Barbourville 3.3 mi 6.6
Flat Lick Elementary School Flat Lick 3.5 mi 9.2
Knox County Day Treatment Barbourville 3.3 mi
Barbourville City School Barbourville 3.3 mi 6.9
Barbourville Learning Center Barbourville 3.3 mi
Girdler Elementary School Girdler 4.9 mi 6.2
Dewitt Elementary School Flat Lick 5.4 mi 8.9
Lone Jack School Center Fourmile 7.2 mi 7.1
Pineville Independent School Pineville 10.4 mi 8.2
Whitley County East Elementary School Siler 12.8 mi 8.6
Bell Central School Center Pineville 13.2 mi 7.0
Bell County High School Pineville 13.3 mi 6.7
Lynn Camp Middle High School Corbin 12.5 mi
Lynn Camp Elementary School Corbin 12.6 mi 3.8

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
Bardstown High School Bardstown, KY 6.1
Edmonson County High School Brownsville, KY 6.1
Eminence High School Eminence, KY 6.1
Lloyd High School Erlanger, KY 6.1
ASSUMPTION HIGH SCHOOL Louisville, KY 6.0
Calloway County High School Murray, 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 ranks #688 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Knox Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Knox Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 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 Knox Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Knox Central High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 42% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
4 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
60.2%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

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

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