Average
#925 of 1,284 schools in KY
Whitley City Elementary School
Elementary School · McCreary County
2819 N. Hwy. 27, Whitley City, KY 42653
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
561
Student-Teacher
14.4:1
Score
5.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky elementary schools
#505 of 708
In district
#4 of 4
McCreary County
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Whitley City Elementary School
Whitley City Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the rural community of Whitley City, Kentucky. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 561 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.4:1, the school maintains relatively small class sizes to support individualized learning.
Whitley City Elementary School offers a range of educational programs designed for early childhood development up through middle elementary years. The school’s MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, reflecting areas where there is room for academic growth. Specifically, the state ranking places it at number 1142 out of 1288 schools in Kentucky, indicating that while there are challenges, the school continues to work towards improving student outcomes.
On standardized tests, 38% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, and 24% are proficient or above in Math. The school’s focus is on fostering a supportive environment for all learners as they navigate their educational journey. Whitley City Elementary School sits in a remote rural setting, where the community works closely with educators to ensure students receive the support they need.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Whitley City 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
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Whitley City Elementary School — Students at Whitley City Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
83.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.2/10.
How Whitley City Elementary School Compares
See how Whitley City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41% (2022).
Location
2819 N. Hwy. 27, Whitley City, KY 42653
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Whitley City Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Burnside Elementary School (rated 7.3/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Burnside), which scores notably higher. Another option is Whitley Central Intermediate School (rated 7.3/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Whitley County Central Primary School (rated 6.7/10, 17.9 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Whitley City, see our Whitley City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| McCreary Central High School Stearns | 3.7 mi | 8.3 |
| McCreary County Middle School Stearns | 3.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Pine Knot Intermediate Pine Knot | 7.2 mi | 6.2 |
| Winfield Elementary Winfield | 15.3 mi | 5.1 |
| Oneida Elementary Oneida | 17.4 mi | 4.9 |
| Oneida Middle School Oneida | 17.8 mi | 5.8 |
| Oneida High School Oneida | 17.8 mi | 4.1 |
| Burnside Elementary School Burnside | 17.4 mi | 7.3 |
| Burchfield Elementary Oneida | 18.1 mi | 6.3 |
| LANDMARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oneida | 20.2 mi | 6.6 |
| Southern Middle School Somerset | 20.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Williamsburg City School Williamsburg | 17.2 mi | 7.0 |
| Southern Elementary School Somerset | 20.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Whitley Central Intermediate School Williamsburg | 17.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Colonel Academy Williamsburg | 17.6 mi | 4.1 |
| Whitley County Alternative School Williamsburg | 17.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Whitley County Middle School Williamsburg | 17.9 mi | 5.9 |
| Whitley County Central Primary School Williamsburg | 17.9 mi | 6.7 |
| Whitley County High School Williamsburg | 18.0 mi | 6.8 |
| SOMERSET CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Somerset | 22.5 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 42653 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,841
Median Home Value
$104,600
Median Rent
$830/mo
Population
3,911
College Educated
8.3%
Homeownership
75.2%
Poverty Rate
27.5%
Median Age
37.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Whitley City Elementary School has a median household income of $45,841. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $104,600, with a median rent of $830/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Eden Elementary School Inez, KY | 5.4 |
| Johns Creek Elementary School Pikeville, KY | 5.4 |
| Johnsontown Road Elementary Louisville, KY | 5.4 |
| Liberty Elementary School Liberty, KY | 5.4 |
| Meadow View Elementary School Radcliff, KY | 5.4 |
| Mt. Vernon Elementary Mount Vernon, KY | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Whitley City Elementary School
What grades does Whitley City Elementary School serve?
Whitley City Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Whitley City Elementary School?
Whitley City Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 561 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Whitley City Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Whitley City Elementary School is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Whitley City Elementary School rank in KY?
Whitley City Elementary School is ranked #925 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Whitley City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Whitley City Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.4 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 Whitley City Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Whitley City Elementary School has 24.3% math proficiency and 38.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Whitley City Elementary School a charter school?
No, Whitley City Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Whitley City Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Whitley City Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Whitley City Elementary School?
83.8% of students at Whitley City 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Low (95/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 561
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 83.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- McCreary County
- Phone
- (606) 376-2690
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
McCreary County- District Enrollment
- 2,727
- Schools in District
- 5
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,475
- District Rank
- #4 of 4
Other Schools in This District
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.
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