Below Average
#1137 of 1,284 schools in KY
Powell County High School
High School · Powell County
700 West College Ave., Stanton, KY 40380
Enrollment
614
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
614
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Stanton
#2 of 5
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#265 of 279
In district
#2 of 6
Powell County
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Powell County High School
Powell County High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Stanton, Kentucky, at 700 West College Avenue. Serving students from ninth through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 614 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 38 full-time equivalent teachers. The school is situated in a remote rural area, offering a close-knit community feel where students can participate in various extracurricular activities and sports.
Powell County High School's academic performance shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and a state ranking of #1030 out of 1288 schools in Kentucky, placing it in the 20th percentile. The school’s average proficiency rates are 32% in ELA/Reading and 19% in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Powell County High School continues to focus on student development and offers a supportive environment for its students.
Its setting in a remote rural area provides a unique backdrop where the community feels connected and invested in the school’s success.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Powell County High School 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.
Located in a rural area, Powell County 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Powell County High School — Students at Powell County High School score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
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: 8.8/10.
How Powell County High School Compares
See how Powell County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 32% (2019) to 32% (2022).
Location
700 West College Ave., Stanton, KY 40380
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Powell County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Estill County High School (rated 6.4/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby Irvine), which scores notably higher. Another option is The Sterling School (rated 6.3/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Mt. Sterling), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Montgomery County High School (rated 5.5/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Mt. Sterling), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Stanton, see our Stanton schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Powell County Middle School Stanton | 0.1 mi | 3.5 |
| Stanton Elementary School Stanton | 0.7 mi | 4.1 |
| Powell County Academy Stanton | 0.8 mi | 4.7 |
| Clay City Elementary School Clay City | 3.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Bowen Elementary School Stanton | 5.0 mi | 3.1 |
| CHRISTIAN TRADITIONAL SCHOOL Mount Sterling | 10.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Camargo Elementary School Mt. Sterling | 10.3 mi | 6.7 |
| Estill County Middle School Irvine | 9.9 mi | 3.0 |
| Estill County High School Irvine | 10.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Estill Springs Elementary Irvine | 11.0 mi | 6.3 |
| Estill County Success Academy Irvine | 11.4 mi | 5.3 |
| West Irvine Elementary Irvine | 11.9 mi | 5.8 |
| South Irvine Early Learning Center Irvine | 12.7 mi | 7.1 |
| MT STERLING CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mount Sterling | 13.9 mi | — |
| McNabb Middle School Mt. Sterling | 13.9 mi | 6.1 |
| Montgomery County High School Mt. Sterling | 14.1 mi | 5.5 |
| The Sterling School Mt. Sterling | 14.1 mi | 6.3 |
| Mount Sterling Elementary School Mt. Sterling | 14.9 mi | 5.2 |
| Gateway Children's Services Mt. Sterling | 15.0 mi | — |
| Mapleton Elementary School Mt. Sterling | 15.5 mi | 6.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40380 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$40,531
Median Home Value
$133,700
Median Rent
$768/mo
Population
6,943
College Educated
19.7%
Homeownership
72.3%
Avg Commute
25.3 min
Poverty Rate
20.5%
Median Age
39.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Powell County High School has a median household income of $40,531. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $133,700, with a median rent of $768/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| Owen County High School Owenton, KY | 4.7 |
| Edmonson County High School Brownsville, KY | 4.8 |
| Webster County High School Dixon, KY | 4.8 |
| Caldwell County High School Princeton, KY | 4.3 |
| Pendleton County High School Falmouth, KY | 4.3 |
| Metcalfe County High School Edmonton, KY | 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Powell County High School
What grades does Powell County High School serve?
Powell County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Powell County High School?
Powell County High School has an enrollment of approximately 614 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Powell County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Powell County High School is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Powell County High School rank in KY?
Powell County High School is ranked #1137 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Powell County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Powell County High School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Powell County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Powell County High School has 18.7% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Powell County High School a charter school?
No, Powell County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Powell County High School a Title I school?
No, Powell County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Powell County High School?
66.6% of students at Powell County 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
- City Safety
- Average (600/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Stanton). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 614
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 38
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Powell County
- Phone
- (606) 663-3320
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Powell County- District Enrollment
- 2,087
- Schools in District
- 6
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,085
- District Rank
- #2 of 6
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.
Read our full methodologyGet school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.