Excellent

#179 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 14% in state

Letcher Elementary & Middle School

Elementary School · Letcher County

160 LHS Drive, Blackey, KY 41804

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

12:1

Score

8.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 8th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#179 of 1,284

In district

#1 of 8

Letcher County

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Blackey · grades Kindergarten – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

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About Letcher Elementary & Middle School

Letcher Elementary & Middle School is a public elementary school in Blackey, KY, part of Letcher County. Letcher Elementary & Middle School serves approximately 336 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-8th, and has a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. Letcher Elementary & Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranks #179 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Letcher Elementary & Middle School show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts above district

8.0

This school 8.0 · Excellent
District avg 6.0
KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Letcher Elementary & Middle 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.

71% of students at Letcher Elementary & Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress10.0Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data2

Annual Change+6.69 pts/yr

Data Period2022–2025

TrendImproving

Academics5.9Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency34% (2025 KSA)

Reading/ELA Proficiency42.2% (2025 KSA)

Overall Proficiency38% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)

vs. Expected+2.5 pts

Adjusted Percentile42th

Resources & Environment6.3Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio12:1

Per-Pupil Spending$20,652

Chronic Absenteeism70.5%

Letcher Elementary & Middle School — Students at Letcher Elementary & Middle School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

79.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 31.4% (multi-year average, 2022-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 39.0% (multi-year average, 2022-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 17 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2022

Math

16%

ELA

20%

2025

Math

34%

ELA

42.2%

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Letcher Elementary & Middle School Compares

See how Letcher Elementary & Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score

8.0/10

86th percentile in KY

Academic

5.9/10

Average

Growth

10.0/10

Excellent

Environment

6.3/10

Average

Gifted & Talented

Yes

Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

80%

Teaching Staff

12:1 student-teacher ratio

28 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

70.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

160 LHS Drive, Blackey, KY 41804

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Letcher Elementary & Middle School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Viper Elementary School (rated 8.4/10, 10.8 miles away, in nearby Viper), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Carr Creek Elementary School (rated 8.2/10, 6.1 miles away, in nearby Littcarr), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Emmalena Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 14.7 miles away, in nearby Emmalena), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Blackey, see our Blackey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.7 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr	6.1 mi	357	8.2
West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg	5.9 mi	433	6.2
Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg	6.0 mi	189	7.5
Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg	6.6 mi	244	5.5
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg	7.6 mi	4	—
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg	8.4 mi	706	7.2
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia	10.3 mi	131	6.1
Knott County Central High School Hindman	11.8 mi	553	7.2
Robert W Combs Elementary School Happy	9.9 mi	361	4.5
Hindman Elementary School Hindman	12.5 mi	439	5.9
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland	12.9 mi	451	6.5
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg	10.7 mi	287	4.2
Viper Elementary School Viper	10.8 mi	303	8.4
Cordia School Hazard	12.7 mi	171	7.9
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon	12.5 mi	137	6.1
Emmalena Elementary School Emmalena	14.7 mi	205	7.3
Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost	15.1 mi	182	3.2
Hazard High School Hazard	15.1 mi	301	7.6
Jones Fork Elementary School Mousie	18.4 mi	165	5.7
Roy G. Eversole Elementary School Hazard	15.7 mi	449	6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41804 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$80,705

Median Home Value

$54,800

Population

1,202

College Educated

9.2%

Homeownership

90.8%

Poverty Rate

9.4%

Median Age

31.3

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Carlisle County Elementary School Bardwell, KY	409	8.0
Johnson Elementary School Fort Thomas, KY	433	8.0
STS. PETER & PAUL REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lexington, KY	258	8.0
Shopville Elementary School Somerset, KY	360	8.0
Booker T Washington Elementary School Lexington, KY	328	7.9
Crofton Elementary School Crofton, KY	396	8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Letcher Elementary & Middle School

What grades does Letcher Elementary & Middle School serve?

Letcher Elementary & Middle School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 8th.

How many students attend Letcher Elementary & Middle School?

Letcher Elementary & Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Letcher Elementary & Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Letcher Elementary & Middle School is 12:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Letcher Elementary & Middle School rank in KY?

Letcher Elementary & Middle School ranks #179 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Letcher Elementary & Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Letcher Elementary & Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 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 Elementary & Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Letcher Elementary & Middle School has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2022-2025).

Is Letcher Elementary & Middle School a charter school?

No, Letcher Elementary & Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Letcher Elementary & Middle School a Title I school?

No, Letcher Elementary & Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Letcher Elementary & Middle School?

79.5% of students at Letcher Elementary & Middle 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.