Needs Improvement

#1237 of 1,284 schools in KY

Sunshine School

School · Harlan Independent

304 Surgener St, Harlan, KY 40831

Last updated: July 2026

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

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Enrollment

119

Student-Teacher

119:1

Score

3.3

Grades

Pre-K – Pre-K

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,237 of 1,284

In Harlan

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#3 of 3

Harlan Independent

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About Sunshine School

Sunshine School is a public school in Harlan, KY, part of Harlan Independent. Sunshine School serves approximately 119 students, and covers grades Pre-K-Pre-K, and has a 119:1 student-teacher ratio. Sunshine School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,237 of 1,284 schools in KY.

How it compares2.1 pts below district

3.3

This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
District avg 5.4
KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 119 students, Sunshine School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

Sunshine School runs 119:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress—Not Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics6.3Average25%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.·Area estimate · Based on KY state average

College Readiness3.1Needs Improvement45%

Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.

View breakdown

IB ProgramNo

Resources & Environment1.1Needs Improvement30%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio119:1

Per-Pupil Spending$12,385

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

3.3/10

4th percentile in KY

Academic

6.3/10

Average

Environment

1.1/10

Needs Improvement

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. Green Hills Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Bledsoe), which scores notably higher. Another option is James A. Cawood Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Jonesville Middle (rated 7.9/10, 15.5 miles away, in nearby Jonesville), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Harlan, see our Harlan schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.6 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Harlan Elementary School Harlan	0.1 mi	352	7.0
Harlan High School Harlan	0.1 mi	449	5.9
James A. Cawood Elementary Harlan	2.5 mi	283	8.8
APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY Grays Knob	2.9 mi	80	5.8
Rosspoint Elementary School Baxter	3.0 mi	369	5.3
Harlan County High School Baxter	3.5 mi	944	6.2
Green Hills Elementary School Bledsoe	4.1 mi	128	8.9
Wallins Elementary School Wallins	5.5 mi	359	5.6
Cawood Elementary School Cawood	6.4 mi	209	7.6
Evarts Elementary School Evarts	7.0 mi	348	5.5
HARLAN COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Totz	8.5 mi	58	6.3
Black Mountain Elementary School Evarts	8.2 mi	256	7.0
Rose Hill Elementary Rose Hill	12.0 mi	242	6.6
Flatwoods Elementary Jonesville	14.3 mi	333	6.8
Thomas Walker High Ewing	14.6 mi	283	7.7
Stinnett Elementary School Hoskinston	16.1 mi	334	7.0
Hayes Lewis Elementary School Yeaddiss	16.7 mi	131	7.5
Jonesville Middle Jonesville	15.5 mi	238	7.9
Lee High Jonesville	14.9 mi	777	6.4
St. Charles Elementary St. Charles	14.6 mi	111	7.7

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

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 ranks #1,237 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Sunshine School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sunshine School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; 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.