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Very Good

#297 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 23% in state

Whitesburg Middle School

Middle School · Letcher County

366 Park Street, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Enrollment

189

Student-Teacher

15.8:1

Score

7.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#297 of 1,284

In Whitesburg

#1 of 5

public schools

In district

#2 of 8

Letcher County

Academic performance

7.7 / 10

Very Good

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Whitesburg Middle School

7.5/10

Middle School in Whitesburg · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

West Whitesburg Elementary School

6.2/10

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

Cowan Elementary School

5.5/10

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

About Whitesburg Middle School

Whitesburg Middle School is a public middle school in Whitesburg, KY, part of Letcher County. Whitesburg Middle School serves approximately 189 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 15.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Whitesburg Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #297 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Whitesburg Middle School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.7 pts above district
  • This school 7.5 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.8
  • KY avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

At 189 students, Whitesburg Middle 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.

Whitesburg Middle 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.

37% of students at Whitesburg Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics7.7Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency46.7% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency51% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency49% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile66th
Resources & Environment7.7Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,652
Chronic Absenteeism36.5%

Whitesburg Middle School — Students at Whitesburg Middle School score 49% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 54.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
70%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
76%
ELA
67%
2011
Math
52%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
55%
ELA
57%
2013
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2015
Math
57%
ELA
67%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
74%
2017
Math
63%
ELA
73%
2018
Math
61%
ELA
73%
2019
Math
61%
ELA
73%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2025
Math
46.7%
ELA
51%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Whitesburg Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in KY
Academic
7.7/10
Very Good
Growth
7.1/10
Very Good
Environment
7.7/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

Programs & Offerings

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

366 Park Street, Whitesburg, KY 41858

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Whitesburg Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Union Middle (rated 8.3/10, 17.2 miles away, in nearby Big Stone Gap), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Fleming Neon Middle School (rated 6.1/10, 8.5 miles away, in nearby Neon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Whitesburg, see our Whitesburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 17.2 mi
School Distance Rating
West Whitesburg Elementary School Whitesburg 0.0 mi 6.2
Cowan Elementary School Whitesburg 1.8 mi 5.5
Letcher County Alternative Education Ctr Whitesburg 1.7 mi
Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg 2.6 mi 7.2
Arlie Boggs Elementary School Eolia 5.0 mi 6.1
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School Whitesburg 5.9 mi 4.2
Letcher Elementary & Middle School Blackey 6.0 mi 8.0
Fleming Neon Middle School Neon 8.5 mi 6.1
Carr Creek Elementary School Littcarr 10.6 mi 8.2
Jenkins Independent School Jenkins 11.0 mi 6.8
Cumberland Elementary School Cumberland 12.8 mi 6.5
Beaver Creek Elementary School Topmost 16.1 mi 3.2
J.W. Adams Combined Pound 13.1 mi 9.6
Knott County Central High School Hindman 15.9 mi 7.2
Union Primary Big Stone Gap 17.1 mi 9.1
Union Middle Big Stone Gap 17.2 mi 8.3
Union High Big Stone Gap 17.5 mi 8.0
VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Virgie 16.3 mi
Hindman Elementary School Hindman 17.0 mi 5.9
J.I. Burton High Norton 17.2 mi 8.4

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Ballard County Middle School Barlow, KY 7.6
Berea Community Middle School Berea, KY 7.4
Cumberland County Middle School Burkesville, KY 7.4
Bracken County Middle School Brooksville, KY 7.7
Fulton County Middle School Hickman, KY 7.3
Wolfe County Middle School Campton, KY 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Whitesburg Middle School

What grades does Whitesburg Middle School serve?

Whitesburg Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Whitesburg Middle School?

Whitesburg Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 189 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitesburg Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Whitesburg Middle School is 15.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Whitesburg Middle School rank in KY?

Whitesburg Middle School ranks #297 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Whitesburg Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitesburg Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 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 Whitesburg Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitesburg Middle School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Whitesburg Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Whitesburg Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

66.1% of students at Whitesburg Middle 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
35 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
189
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Letcher County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
36.5%

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