Skip to main content

Below Average

#1191 of 1,284 schools in KY

Rockcastle County High School

High School · Rockcastle County

1545 Lake Cumberland Road, Mount Vernon, KY 40456

Enrollment

827

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

4.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mount Vernon

#5 of 5

public schools

Kentucky high schools

#272 of 279

In district

#6 of 6

Rockcastle County

About Rockcastle County High School

Rockcastle County High School serves grades 9–12 in Mount Vernon, a remote rural area of southeastern Kentucky. The school enrolls 827 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 with 49 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance in core subjects.

Currently, 39% of students score at or above proficiency in ELA and reading, while 29% reach proficiency benchmarks in math. The school's MySchoolScout academic score of 3.2/10 reflects opportunities for growth in these fundamental areas. Statewide, Rockcastle County High School ranks #1236 out of 1288 Kentucky schools, placing it in the lower percentile range.

For families considering this school, it's worth noting that the school serves a distinctly rural community where resources may be more limited than in larger districts. The relatively balanced student-teacher ratio of 16.9:1 suggests opportunities for more personalized instruction, which could support students who benefit from closer teacher-student relationships. Parents interested in attending should explore what academic support programs and extracurricular offerings the school provides, as these often play a meaningful role in student success, particularly in schools focused on foundational skill development.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Rockcastle 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 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24%
Reading/ELA Proficiency34%
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected-10.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness4.9Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,118

Rockcastle County High School — Students at Rockcastle County High School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 29.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
24%
ELA
34%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Rockcastle County High School Compares

See how Rockcastle County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
7th percentile in KY
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

1545 Lake Cumberland Road, Mount Vernon, KY 40456

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rockcastle County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Berea Community High School (rated 8.2/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Berea), which scores notably higher. Another option is Rockcastle Academy for Academic Achievement (rated 7.3/10, 0.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Madison Southern High School (rated 6.9/10, 16.2 miles away, in nearby Berea), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mount Vernon, see our Mount Vernon schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Rockcastle Academy for Academic Achievement Mount Vernon 0.5 mi 7.3
Rockcastle County Middle School Mount Vernon 0.5 mi 5.6
Mt. Vernon Elementary Mount Vernon 1.3 mi 5.4
Brodhead Elementary School Brodhead 4.3 mi 6.6
Roundstone Elementary School Mount Vernon 6.0 mi 5.5
LINCOLN COUNTY MENNONITE SCHOOL Crab Orchard 7.5 mi 4.6
Crab Orchard Elementary School Crab Orchard 10.8 mi 5.8
Berea Community High School Berea 15.5 mi 8.2
Berea Community Middle School Berea 15.5 mi 6.8
Berea Community Elementary School Berea 15.5 mi 5.2
Shopville Elementary School Somerset 15.5 mi 7.2
Madison Southern High School Berea 16.2 mi 6.9
Foley Middle School Berea 16.2 mi 7.1
Shannon Johnson Elementary School Berea 16.4 mi 6.0
Silver Creek Elementary School Berea 16.7 mi 6.0
Paint Lick Elementary School Paint Lick 16.6 mi 5.0
Farristown Middle School Berea 18.0 mi 6.9
Northern Elementary School Somerset 16.7 mi 8.0
Colony Elementary School London 17.3 mi 7.4
Highland Elementary School Waynesburg 16.1 mi 8.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40456 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$46,879

Median Home Value

$140,600

Median Rent

$678/mo

Population

8,324

College Educated

17.4%

Homeownership

73.1%

Avg Commute

24.3 min

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rockcastle County High School has a median household income of $46,879. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $140,600, with a median rent of $678/month. The area has a poverty rate of 21.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 24 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
Nelson County High School Bardstown, KY 4.2
Caldwell County High School Princeton, KY 4.3
Pendleton County High School Falmouth, KY 4.3
Warren East High School Bowling Green, KY 4.5
Trimble County JR/SR High School Bedford, KY 3.9
Powell County High School Stanton, KY 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rockcastle County High School

What grades does Rockcastle County High School serve?

Rockcastle County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Rockcastle County High School?

Rockcastle County High School has an enrollment of approximately 827 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rockcastle County High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rockcastle County High School is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rockcastle County High School rank in KY?

Rockcastle County High School is ranked #1191 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Rockcastle County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rockcastle County High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Rockcastle County High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rockcastle County High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 38.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rockcastle County High School a charter school?

No, Rockcastle County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Rockcastle County High School a Title I school?

No, Rockcastle County High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rockcastle County High School?

59.9% of students at Rockcastle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
Average (570/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mount Vernon). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
827
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Rockcastle County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Rockcastle County
District Enrollment
2,779
Schools in District
6
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,041
District Rank
#6 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 methodology

Get 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.