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Below Average

#1089 of 1,284 schools in KY

West Whitesburg Elementary School

Elementary School · Letcher County

330 Park St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Enrollment

433

Student-Teacher

12.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Whitesburg

#5 of 5

public schools

Kentucky elementary schools

#590 of 708

In district

#7 of 8

Letcher County

School environment

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About West Whitesburg Elementary School

West Whitesburg Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural setting of Whitesburg, Kentucky. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 433 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 12.4:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. The academic performance at West Whitesburg Elementary School is in the lower half of Kentucky’s elementary schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an overall academic score of 4.8 out of 10.

On standardized tests, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 35% meet proficiency standards in math. The school is committed to supporting the educational needs of its community by focusing on student development and growth. West Whitesburg Elementary School is situated in a tight-knit rural area where the close-knit nature of the community provides a supportive environment for students and families.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, West Whitesburg Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-8.26 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected+1.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile47th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,514

West Whitesburg Elementary School — Students at West Whitesburg Elementary School score 37% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

68.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 35.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
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
57%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
47%

* 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: 2.0/10.

How West Whitesburg Elementary School Compares

See how West Whitesburg Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
15th percentile in KY
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers

Location

330 Park St, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering West Whitesburg Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Carr Creek Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 10.5 miles away, in nearby Littcarr), which scores notably higher. Another option is J.W. Adams Combined (rated 8.0/10, 13.1 miles away, in nearby Pound), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Cowan Elementary School (rated 7.4/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whitesburg, see our Whitesburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Whitesburg Middle School Whitesburg 0.0 mi 5.7
Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg 1.8 mi 7.4
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg 1.7 mi
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg 2.6 mi 7.5
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 5.1 mi 3.7
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg 5.9 mi 5.9
Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey 5.9 mi 5.5
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon 8.5 mi 6.4
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr 10.5 mi 8.3
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins 11.0 mi 6.2
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland 12.8 mi 6.6
Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost 16.0 mi 3.8
J.W. Adams Combined Pound 13.1 mi 8.0
Knott County Central High School Hindman 15.9 mi 6.7
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 17.2 mi 7.2
Union Middle Big Stone Gap 17.2 mi 8.2
Union High Big Stone Gap 17.5 mi 7.0
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virgie 16.3 mi
Hindman Elementary School Hindman 17.0 mi 4.6
J.I. Burton High Norton 17.3 mi 7.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 41858 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,363

Median Home Value

$101,700

Median Rent

$635/mo

Population

7,958

College Educated

15.2%

Homeownership

69.5%

Avg Commute

29.1 min

Poverty Rate

38.3%

Median Age

40.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding West Whitesburg Elementary School has a median household income of $42,363. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $101,700, with a median rent of $635/month. The area has a poverty rate of 38.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 29 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
Adairville Elementary School Adairville, KY 4.8
Auburndale Elementary Louisville, KY 4.8
BLESSED SACRAMENT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ft. Mitchell, KY 4.8
Boston School Boston, KY 4.8
Bremen Elementary School Bremen, KY 4.8
Central Elementary School Paintsville, KY 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about West Whitesburg Elementary School

What grades does West Whitesburg Elementary School serve?

West Whitesburg Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend West Whitesburg Elementary School?

West Whitesburg Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 433 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at West Whitesburg Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at West Whitesburg Elementary School is 12.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does West Whitesburg Elementary School rank in KY?

West Whitesburg Elementary School is ranked #1089 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is West Whitesburg Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

West Whitesburg Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 West Whitesburg Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, West Whitesburg Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is West Whitesburg Elementary School a charter school?

No, West Whitesburg Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is West Whitesburg Elementary School a Title I school?

No, West Whitesburg Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for West Whitesburg Elementary School?

68.8% of students at West Whitesburg Elementary 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 (369/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
433
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
35
Free/Reduced Lunch
68.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Letcher County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Letcher County
District Enrollment
2,467
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,652
District Rank
#7 of 8

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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