Very Good
#358 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 28% in state
Mercer Central
High School · Mercer County
530 Perryville Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
46
Student-Teacher
11.5:1
Score
7.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#358 of 1,284
In Harrodsburg
#3 of 5
public schools
In district
#3 of 5
Mercer County
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Excellent
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Mercer Central
High School in Harrodsburg · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mercer County Day Treatment
0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kenneth D. King Middle School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Mercer Central
Mercer Central is a public high school in Harrodsburg, KY, part of Mercer County. Mercer Central serves approximately 46 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11.5:1 student-teacher ratio. Mercer Central has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #358 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Mercer Central show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
- This school 7.3 · Very Good
- District avg 7.4
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
At 46 students, Mercer Central is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Mercer Central sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
48% of students at Mercer Central 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Mercer Central — Students at Mercer Central score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 21 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Mercer Central Compares
See how Mercer Central performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
530 Perryville Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mercer Central may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Boyle County High School (rated 8.2/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Danville High School (rated 7.6/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Danville), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Mercer County Senior High School (rated 7.5/10, 1.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Harrodsburg, see our Harrodsburg schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 10.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mercer County Day Treatment Harrodsburg | 0.0 mi | — |
| Kenneth D. King Middle School Harrodsburg | 1.5 mi | 6.8 |
| Mercer County Elementary School Harrodsburg | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Mercer County Intermediate School Harrodsburg | 1.9 mi | 8.4 |
| Mercer County Senior High School Harrodsburg | 1.9 mi | 7.5 |
| GOD'S TREE HOUSE ACADEMY Harrodsburg | 2.5 mi | — |
| Burgin Independent School Burgin | 5.0 mi | 7.8 |
| Woodlawn Elementary School Danville | 7.8 mi | 8.9 |
| Boyle County Middle School Danville | 7.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Boyle County High School Danville | 8.0 mi | 8.2 |
| Sunrise Academy Danville | 8.0 mi | — |
| DANVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Danville | 7.5 mi | 7.4 |
| Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School Danville | 8.4 mi | 4.7 |
| Anchor Academy Danville | 8.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Danville High School Danville | 8.8 mi | 7.6 |
| DANVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Danville | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Kentucky School for the Deaf Danville | 9.2 mi | 7.7 |
| John W. Bate Middle School Danville | 9.3 mi | 7.4 |
| Perryville Elementary School Perryville | 9.4 mi | 9.1 |
| Mary G. Hogsett Primary School Danville | 10.0 mi | 7.8 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40330 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,804
Median Home Value
$187,000
Median Rent
$780/mo
Population
20,805
College Educated
22.7%
Homeownership
76.8%
Avg Commute
26.7 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
42.4
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| RISE Academy Florence, KY | 7.2 |
| THE PIARIST SCHOOL Hager Hill, KY | 7.2 |
| The Academy Frankfort, KY | 7.6 |
| Bowling Green Learning Center Bowling Green, KY | 6.9 |
| Franklin-Simpson High School West Campus Franklin, KY | 6.8 |
| Lighthouse Academy Bowling Green, KY | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Mercer Central
What grades does Mercer Central serve?
Mercer Central serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Mercer Central?
Mercer Central has an enrollment of approximately 46 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Mercer Central?
The student-teacher ratio at Mercer Central is 11.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Mercer Central rank in KY?
Mercer Central ranks #358 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Mercer Central's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercer Central has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Mercer Central?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Mercer Central has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022) and 25% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2022).
Is Mercer Central a charter school?
No, Mercer Central is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Mercer Central a Title I school?
No, Mercer Central is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mercer Central?
84.8% of students at Mercer Central qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 46
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 4
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 84.8%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Mercer County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 47.8%
- Phone
- (859) 733-7120
- 4-Year Graduation
- 80%+
Resources & Links
District
Mercer County- District Enrollment
- 2,724
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,658
- District Rank
- #3 of 5
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