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Very Good

#388 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 30% in state

Letcher County Central High School

High School · Letcher County

435 Cougar Drive, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Enrollment

706

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#388 of 1,284

In Whitesburg

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#3 of 8

Letcher County

Academic growth

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Letcher County Central High School

7.2/10

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

Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr

Nearby

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

Whitesburg Middle School

7.5/10

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

About Letcher County Central High School

Letcher County Central High School is a public high school in Whitesburg, KY, part of Letcher County. Letcher County Central High School serves approximately 706 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Letcher County Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #388 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Letcher County Central High School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.0 pts above KY schools
  • This school 7.2 · Very Good
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Letcher County 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.

63% of students at Letcher County 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 Progress9.3Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.12 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.8Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency54% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+8.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile68th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate93%
AP Participation12.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,652
Chronic Absenteeism62.9%

Letcher County Central High School — Students at Letcher County Central High School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 52.4% (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
38%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
37%
ELA
61%
2011
Math
21%
ELA
47%
2012
Math
23%
ELA
60%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
55%
2014
Math
17%
ELA
58%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
54%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
45%
ELA
54%

* 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: 9.3/10.

How Letcher County Central High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
70th percentile in KY
Academic
7.8/10
Very Good
Growth
9.3/10
Excellent
Environment
5.2/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.6
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
62.9%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
12.7% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·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

435 Cougar Drive, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Letcher County Central High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. J.I. Burton High (rated 8.4/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Norton), which scores notably higher. Another option is Union High (rated 8.0/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Central High (rated 7.2/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Norton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Whitesburg, see our Whitesburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg 1.0 mi
Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg 2.6 mi 7.5
West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg 2.6 mi 6.2
Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg 3.4 mi 5.5
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg 3.8 mi 4.2
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 4.5 mi 6.1
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon 6.6 mi 6.1
Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey 8.4 mi 8.0
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins 8.5 mi 6.8
J.W. Adams Combined Pound 10.5 mi 9.6
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr 12.2 mi 8.2
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virgie 14.9 mi
Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost 16.1 mi 3.2
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland 14.5 mi 6.5
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 16.5 mi 9.1
Union Middle Big Stone Gap 16.5 mi 8.3
Norton Elementary Norton 15.4 mi 8.4
Union High Big Stone Gap 16.8 mi 8.0
J.I. Burton High Norton 15.7 mi 8.4
Central High Norton 15.5 mi 7.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41858 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,363

Median Home Value

$101,700

Median Rent

$635/mo

Population

7,958

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

38.3%

Median Age

40.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Bath County High School Owingsville, KY 7.2
Franklin-Simpson High School Franklin, KY 7.2
Green County High School Greensburg, KY 7.2
Henry County High School New Castle, KY 7.2
Hopkinsville High School Hopkinsville, KY 7.2
Knott County Central High School Hindman, KY 7.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Letcher County Central High School

What grades does Letcher County Central High School serve?

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

How many students attend Letcher County Central High School?

Letcher County Central High School has an enrollment of approximately 706 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Letcher County Central High School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Letcher County Central High School rank in KY?

Letcher County Central High School ranks #388 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Letcher County Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Letcher County Central High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Letcher County Central High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Letcher County Central High School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 52% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Letcher County Central High School a charter school?

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

Is Letcher County Central High School a Title I school?

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

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

66.3% of students at Letcher County 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
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Letcher County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
62.9%
4-Year Graduation
93.0%

District

Letcher County
District Enrollment
2,467
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,652
District Rank
#3 of 8

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