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Average

#710 of 1,284 schools in KY

West Carter County High School

High School · Carter County

365 West Carter Dr, Olive Hill, KY 41164

Enrollment

510

Student-Teacher

17.6:1

Score

6.0

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#710 of 1,284

In Olive Hill

#2 of 5

public schools

In district

#6 of 11

Carter County

Academic growth

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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West Carter County High School

6.0/10

High School in Olive Hill · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Carter Virtual Academy

2.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

West Carter Middle School

4.2/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About West Carter County High School

West Carter County High School is a public high school in Olive Hill, KY, part of Carter County. West Carter County High School serves approximately 510 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio. West Carter County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #710 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for West Carter County High School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 6.0 · Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

West Carter County High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

42% of students at West Carter County High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.41 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.5Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency40% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-3.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
College Readiness6.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate95%+
AP Participation7.8%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment2.5Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,653
Chronic Absenteeism42%

West Carter County High School — Students at West Carter County High School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 34.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 32 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
32%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2014
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2016
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
28%
ELA
52%

* 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 West Carter County High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.0/10
45th percentile in KY
Academic
5.5/10
Average
Growth
8.8/10
Excellent
Environment
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
42.0%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

365 West Carter Dr, Olive Hill, KY 41164

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Carter County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. East Carter County High School (rated 6.5/10, 11.9 miles away, in nearby Grayson), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Elliott County High School (rated 6.5/10, 15.7 miles away, in nearby Sandy Hook), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Olive Hill, see our Olive Hill schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Carter Virtual Academy Olive Hill 0.1 mi 2.1
West Carter Middle School Olive Hill 0.1 mi 4.2
Olive Hill Elementary School Olive Hill 0.6 mi 7.2
Tygart Creek Elementary School Olive Hill 5.8 mi 5.9
Carter City Elementary School Grayson 8.3 mi 8.5
Laurel Elementary School Vanceburg 11.1 mi 8.9
Elliott County Primary School Sandy Hook 12.8 mi 5.0
Prichard Elementary School Grayson 11.3 mi 5.7
East Carter Middle School Grayson 11.7 mi 5.1
East Carter County High School Grayson 11.9 mi 6.5
Elliott County Intermediate School Sandy Hook 15.6 mi 7.1
Elliott County Middle School Sandy Hook 15.7 mi 5.5
Elliott County High School Sandy Hook 15.7 mi 6.5
CARTER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hitchins 12.8 mi 7.4
Heritage Elementary School Grayson 13.2 mi 6.1
Tilden Hogge Elementary School Morehead 15.2 mi 7.2
Rodburn Elementary School Morehead 16.2 mi 5.9
Garrison Elementary School Garrison 20.2 mi 7.8
Clearfield Elementary School Clearfield 18.6 mi 5.1
Wrigley Elementary School West Liberty 22.3 mi 5.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41164 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,777

Median Home Value

$102,900

Median Rent

$588/mo

Population

12,372

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

83.2%

Avg Commute

33.8 min

Poverty Rate

19.1%

Median Age

43.6

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
STEAM Academy Lexington, KY 6.0
Bardstown High School Bardstown, KY 6.1
Edmonson County High School Brownsville, KY 6.1
Eminence High School Eminence, KY 6.1
Harlan High School Harlan, KY 5.9
Lloyd High School Erlanger, KY 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Carter County High School

What grades does West Carter County High School serve?

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

How many students attend West Carter County High School?

West Carter County High School has an enrollment of approximately 510 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at West Carter County High School is 17.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Carter County High School rank in KY?

West Carter County High School ranks #710 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is West Carter County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Carter County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at West Carter County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, West Carter County High School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 49% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is West Carter County High School a charter school?

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

Is West Carter County High School a Title I school?

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

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

60.6% of students at West Carter 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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
510
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Carter County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
42.0%
4-Year Graduation
95%+

District

Carter County
District Enrollment
4,079
Schools in District
12
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,653
District Rank
#6 of 11

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