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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

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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.52 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency41%
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+3.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,759

Whitley City Elementary School — Students at Whitley City Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

83.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 24.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.0%
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
39%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
41%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.4/10
28th percentile in KY
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

McCreary County
District Enrollment
2,727
Schools in District
5
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,475
District Rank
#4 of 4

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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