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Average

#943 of 1,284 schools in KY

Sunshine School

School · Harlan Independent

304 Surgener St, Harlan, KY 40831

Estimated Score

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

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 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on KY state average
College Readiness7.4Very Good45%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.2Significantly Below Average30%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio119:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,290

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/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.

Overall Score
5.3/10
27th percentile in KY
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Environment
1.2/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
119:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Harlan Independent
District Enrollment
920
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,385
District Rank
#3 of 3

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

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