Average
#943 of 1,284 schools in KY
Sunshine School
School · Harlan Independent
304 Surgener St, Harlan, KY 40831
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on KY statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
119:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Enrollment
119
Student-Teacher
119:1
Score
5.3
Grades
Pre-K – Pre-K
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Harlan
#3 of 4
public schools
In district
#3 of 3
Harlan Independent
About Sunshine School
Sunshine School is a small public school located on Surgener Street in the heart of Harlan, Kentucky. Serving only pre-kindergarten students, the school has an enrollment of 119 children and just one full-time teacher, resulting in a student-to-teacher ratio that is unusually high but reflective of its unique focus on early childhood education. While academic test scores are not available, the school operates with the understanding that it plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for young learners through nurturing and developmentally appropriate activities.
Sunshine School is situated in a close-knit town where community support is vital to the educational experience of its students. Despite facing challenges reflected in its state ranking and MySchoolScout rating, the school remains committed to providing a supportive environment that focuses on student development during these crucial early years.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 119 students, Sunshine School 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine School is 119:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
How Sunshine School Compares
See how Sunshine School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
304 Surgener St, Harlan, KY 40831
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Sunshine School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Hayes Lewis Elementary School (rated 8.7/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Yeaddiss), which scores notably higher. Another option is Thomas Walker High (rated 8.4/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby Ewing), which scores notably higher. Additionally, St. Charles Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 14.6 miles away, in nearby St. Charles), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan Elementary School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Harlan High School Harlan | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan | 2.5 mi | 5.2 |
| APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob | 2.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter | 3.0 mi | 5.3 |
| Harlan County High School Baxter | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe | 4.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Wallins Elementary School Wallins | 5.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Cawood Elementary School Cawood | 6.4 mi | 4.3 |
| Evarts Elementary School Evarts | 7.0 mi | 6.8 |
| HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz | 8.5 mi | 6.3 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts | 8.2 mi | 5.1 |
| Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill | 12.0 mi | 3.5 |
| Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville | 14.3 mi | 6.2 |
| Thomas Walker High Ewing | 14.6 mi | 8.4 |
| Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston | 16.1 mi | 7.2 |
| Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss | 16.7 mi | 8.7 |
| Jonesville Middle Jonesville | 15.5 mi | 6.1 |
| Lee High Jonesville | 14.9 mi | 5.8 |
| St. Charles Elementary St. Charles | 14.6 mi | 8.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40831 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$35,417
Median Home Value
$106,500
Median Rent
$567/mo
Population
4,719
College Educated
19.4%
Homeownership
56.7%
Poverty Rate
25.7%
Median Age
42.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Sunshine School has a median household income of $35,417. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $106,500, with a median rent of $567/month. The area has a poverty rate of 25.7%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sunshine School
What grades does Sunshine School serve?
Sunshine School serves students in grades Pre-K through Pre-K.
How many students attend Sunshine School?
Sunshine School has an enrollment of approximately 119 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Sunshine School?
The student-teacher ratio at Sunshine School is 119:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Sunshine School rank in KY?
Sunshine School is ranked #943 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Sunshine School's MySchoolScout rating?
Sunshine School has a composite rating of 5.3 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.
Is Sunshine School a charter school?
No, Sunshine School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Sunshine School a Title I school?
No, Sunshine School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sunshine School?
59.7% of students at Sunshine 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
- Elevated (937/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Harlan). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – Pre-K
- Enrollment
- 119
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 119:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Harlan County
- Phone
- (606) 573-8714
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Harlan Independent- District Enrollment
- 920
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,385
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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.