Very Good
#294 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 23% 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
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harrodsburg
#1 of 5
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#65 of 279
In district
#1 of 5
Mercer County
Academic growth
8.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Mercer Central
Mercer Central is an alternative high school located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Serving students from ninth to twelfth grade, the school has a small enrollment of 46 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.5:1 with four full-time equivalent teachers. Mercer Central focuses on providing personalized support for its diverse group of learners, making it an ideal setting for students who may benefit from alternative educational pathways.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is currently 5.0 out of 10, reflecting that there is room for academic growth according to state standards. The ELA and math proficiency rates are both at 25%, indicating a focus on student development rather than high test scores. Despite these challenges, Mercer Central offers a nurturing environment where students can thrive with individualized attention.
Mercer Central sits in the heart of Harrodsburg, offering easy access to local resources and community support for its students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 46 students, Mercer Central is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Mercer Central are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Mercer Central — Students at Mercer Central score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
84.8%
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
→ 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: 8.9/10.
How Mercer Central Compares
See how Mercer Central performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2022).
Location
530 Perryville Road, Harrodsburg, KY 40330
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Mercer Central may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Danville High School (rated 8.4/10, 8.8 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores notably higher. Another option is Boyle County High School (rated 8.3/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Danville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mercer County Senior High School (rated 5.9/10, 1.9 miles away), a more accessible option. 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 | 5.8 |
| Mercer County Elementary School Harrodsburg | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| Mercer County Intermediate School Harrodsburg | 1.9 mi | 4.7 |
| Mercer County Senior High School Harrodsburg | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| GOD'S TREE HOUSE ACADEMY Harrodsburg | 2.5 mi | — |
| Burgin Independent School Burgin | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| Woodlawn Elementary School Danville | 7.8 mi | 6.9 |
| Boyle County Middle School Danville | 7.9 mi | 6.0 |
| Boyle County High School Danville | 8.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Sunrise Academy Danville | 8.0 mi | — |
| DANVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Danville | 7.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Edna L. Toliver Intermediate School Danville | 8.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Anchor Academy Danville | 8.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Danville High School Danville | 8.8 mi | 8.4 |
| DANVILLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Danville | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Kentucky School for the Deaf Danville | 9.2 mi | 7.9 |
| John W. Bate Middle School Danville | 9.3 mi | 7.3 |
| Perryville Elementary School Perryville | 9.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Mary G. Hogsett Primary School Danville | 10.0 mi | 7.7 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Mercer Central has a median household income of $61,804. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $187,000, with a median rent of $780/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| Rivendell High School Bowling Green, KY | 7.3 |
| Rockcastle Academy for Academic Achievement Mount Vernon, KY | 7.3 |
| Wayne County Learning Academy Monticello, KY | 7.3 |
| Ahrens Educational Resource Center Louisville, KY | 7.2 |
| THE PIARIST SCHOOL Hager Hill, KY | 7.2 |
| Safe Harbor Academy Versailles, KY | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #294 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Mercer Central's MySchoolScout rating?
Mercer Central has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Mercer Central?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mercer Central has 25.0% math proficiency and 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harrodsburg). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (859) 733-7120
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Mercer County- District Enrollment
- 2,724
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,658
- District Rank
- #1 of 5
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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