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Excellent

#47 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 4% in state

Ponderosa Elementary School

Elementary School · Boyd County

16701 Ponderosa Drive, Catlettsburg, KY 41129

Enrollment

336

Student-Teacher

11.6:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#47 of 1,284

In Catlettsburg

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#1 of 7

Boyd County

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Ponderosa Elementary School

8.9/10

Elementary School in Catlettsburg · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Boyd Co Early Childhood Academy

5.6/10

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

Cannonsburg Elementary School

5.6/10

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

About Ponderosa Elementary School

Ponderosa Elementary School is a public elementary school in Catlettsburg, KY, part of Boyd County. Ponderosa Elementary School serves approximately 336 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 11.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Ponderosa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #47 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Ponderosa Elementary School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.6 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.3
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Ponderosa Elementary 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.61 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency57.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency63% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$16,486
Chronic Absenteeism18.8%

Ponderosa Elementary School — Students at Ponderosa Elementary School score 63% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 53.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 59.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 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
68%
ELA
76%
2010
Math
72%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2012
Math
42%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
48%
ELA
64%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
72%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
69%
2016
Math
45%
ELA
58%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2025
Math
69%
ELA
57.7%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Ponderosa Elementary School Compares

See how Ponderosa Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in KY
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

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

16701 Ponderosa Drive, Catlettsburg, KY 41129

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ponderosa Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. South Point Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby South Point), a more accessible option. Another option is Charles Russell Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 8.3 miles away, in nearby Ashland), a more accessible option. Additionally, Star Elementary School (rated 6.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Rush), a more accessible option. For more schools in Catlettsburg, see our Catlettsburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.7 mi
School Distance Rating
Boyd Co Early Childhood Academy Ashland 2.5 mi 5.6
Cannonsburg Elementary School Ashland 2.6 mi 5.6
Boyd County High School Ashland 2.5 mi 7.1
Boyd County Middle School Ashland 5.9 mi 5.6
Summit Elementary School Ashland 6.4 mi 4.8
Boyd County Central School Rush 5.6 mi
Star Elementary School Rush 5.5 mi 6.6
Catlettsburg Elementary School Catlettsburg 6.6 mi 5.9
ROSE HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Ashland 7.8 mi 7.7
Paul G. Blazer High School Ashland 7.9 mi 7.6
Poage Elementary School Ashland 7.9 mi 6.4
Ashland Middle School Ashland 8.2 mi 6.1
Oakview Elementary School Ashland 8.2 mi 6.3
Hager Elementary School Ashland 8.5 mi 6.2
Fairview Elementary School Ashland 8.7 mi 5.7
Charles Russell Elementary School Ashland 8.3 mi 7.3
Ashland Alternative School Ashland 8.3 mi
South Point Elementary School South Point 8.0 mi 7.4
Raceland-Worthington Schools Campus B Ashland 9.2 mi
Ceredo-Kenova Elementary Kenova 7.7 mi 4.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41129 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,438

Median Home Value

$152,700

Median Rent

$685/mo

Population

8,417

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

78%

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Age

49.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Charles H. Kelly Elementary School Burlington, KY 8.9
Hazel Green Elementary School East Bernstadt, KY 8.9
John G Carlisle Elementary Covington, KY 8.9
McKee Elementary School Mckee, KY 8.9
Pride Elementary School Madisonville, KY 8.9
Boonesborough Elementary Richmond, KY 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ponderosa Elementary School

What grades does Ponderosa Elementary School serve?

Ponderosa Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Ponderosa Elementary School?

Ponderosa Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 336 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ponderosa Elementary School is 11.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ponderosa Elementary School rank in KY?

Ponderosa Elementary School ranks #47 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Ponderosa Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ponderosa Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Ponderosa Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ponderosa Elementary School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 59% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Ponderosa Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Ponderosa Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Ponderosa Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

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

47.3% of students at Ponderosa Elementary 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
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
336
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Boyd County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
18.8%

District

Boyd County
District Enrollment
3,024
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,486
District Rank
#1 of 7

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