Very Good
#247 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 19% 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
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
706
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Whitesburg
#1 of 5
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#50 of 279
In district
#1 of 8
Letcher County
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Letcher County Central High School
Letcher County Central High School is a regular public high school serving students in grades 9 through 12. Located in Whitesburg, Kentucky, the school is situated in a remote rural area on Cougar Drive. With an enrollment of 706 students and a student-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, Letcher County Central High School offers a relatively personalized educational experience for its students.
The academic performance at the school reflects areas with room for growth, as indicated by MySchoolScout’s rating of 6.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of 222 out of 1288 schools in Kentucky. In ELA/Reading, 47% of students are proficient or above, while in Math, only 29% reach proficiency levels. Letcher County Central High School is part of the broader community in Letcher County and provides education to a diverse group of students within its rural setting.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Letcher County 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
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Letcher County Central High School — Students at Letcher County Central High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.3%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Letcher County Central High School Compares
See how Letcher County Central High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 27% (2019) to 42% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 47% (2019) to 52% (2022).
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 7.7/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Norton), with a very similar rating. Another option is Union High (rated 7.0/10, 16.8 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Central High (rated 5.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Norton), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.7 |
| West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg | 2.6 mi | 4.8 |
| Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg | 3.4 mi | 7.4 |
| Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg | 3.8 mi | 5.9 |
| Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia | 4.5 mi | 3.7 |
| Fleming Neon Middle School Neon | 6.6 mi | 6.4 |
| Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey | 8.4 mi | 5.5 |
| Jenkins Independent School Jenkins | 8.5 mi | 6.2 |
| J.W. Adams Combined Pound | 10.5 mi | 8.0 |
| Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr | 12.2 mi | 8.3 |
| VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virgie | 14.9 mi | — |
| Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost | 16.1 mi | 3.8 |
| Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland | 14.5 mi | 6.6 |
| Union Primary Big Stone Gap | 16.5 mi | 7.2 |
| Union Middle Big Stone Gap | 16.5 mi | 8.2 |
| Norton Elementary Norton | 15.4 mi | 5.4 |
| Union High Big Stone Gap | 16.8 mi | 7.0 |
| J.I. Burton High Norton | 15.7 mi | 7.7 |
| Central High Norton | 15.5 mi | 5.9 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Letcher County Central High School has a median household income of $42,363. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,700, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Holmes High School Covington, KY | 7.5 |
| Hopkinsville High School Hopkinsville, KY | 7.6 |
| STEAM Academy Lexington, KY | 7.4 |
| Glasgow High School Glasgow, KY | 7.3 |
| Harrison County High School Cynthiana, KY | 7.7 |
| Magoffin County High School Salyersville, KY | 7.8 |
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 is ranked #247 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Letcher County Central High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Letcher County Central High School has a composite rating of 7.5 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 Letcher County Central High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Letcher County Central High School has 28.7% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Whitesburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (606) 633-2339
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Letcher County- District Enrollment
- 2,467
- Schools in District
- 9
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $20,652
- District Rank
- #1 of 8
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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