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Very Good

#301 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 23% in state

Whitley City Elementary School

Elementary School · McCreary County

2819 N. Hwy. 27, Whitley City, KY 42653

Enrollment

561

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

7.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#301 of 1,284

In district

#2 of 4

McCreary County

Academic performance

9.3 / 10

Excellent

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Whitley City Elementary School

7.5/10

Elementary School in Whitley City · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mccreary Central High School

7.8/10

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

Mccreary County Middle School

5.5/10

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

About Whitley City Elementary School

Whitley City Elementary School is a public elementary school in Whitley City, KY, part of McCreary County. Whitley City Elementary School serves approximately 561 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Whitley City Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.5 out of 10 and ranks #301 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Whitley City Elementary School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% 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 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Whitley City Elementary 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.

32% of students at Whitley City Elementary 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 Progress6.6Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.16 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency55.7% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency62.3% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency59% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)34% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+25.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile89th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,475
Chronic Absenteeism31.9%

Whitley City Elementary School — Students at Whitley City Elementary School score 59% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).

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 KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 39.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 48.4% (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
77%
ELA
74%
2010
Math
78%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
28%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
29%
ELA
38%
2013
Math
31%
ELA
39%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
43%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
43%
2016
Math
40%
ELA
46%
2017
Math
37%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
21%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
41%
2025
Math
55.7%
ELA
62.3%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Whitley City Elementary School Compares

See how Whitley City Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.5/10
77th percentile in KY
Academic
9.3/10
Excellent
Growth
6.6/10
Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
84%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

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

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. Whitley Central Intermediate School (rated 8.2/10, 17.5 miles away, in nearby Williamsburg), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Southern Elementary School (rated 8.0/10, 20.6 miles away, in nearby Somerset), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Burnside Elementary School (rated 7.5/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Burnside), with a very similar rating. 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 7.8
McCreary County Middle School Stearns 3.9 mi 5.5
Pine Knot Intermediate Pine Knot 7.2 mi 6.2
Winfield Elementary Winfield 15.3 mi 7.1
Oneida Elementary Oneida 17.4 mi 6.6
Oneida Middle School Oneida 17.8 mi 5.9
Oneida High School Oneida 17.8 mi 5.2
Burnside Elementary School Burnside 17.4 mi 7.5
Burchfield Elementary Oneida 18.1 mi 5.9
LANDMARK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oneida 20.2 mi 6.6
Southern Middle School Somerset 20.4 mi 7.3
Williamsburg City School Williamsburg 17.2 mi 6.3
Southern Elementary School Somerset 20.6 mi 8.0
Whitley Central Intermediate School Williamsburg 17.5 mi 8.2
Colonel Academy Williamsburg 17.6 mi 4.7
Whitley County Alternative School Williamsburg 17.9 mi 5.4
Whitley County Middle School Williamsburg 17.9 mi 7.3
Whitley County Central Primary School Williamsburg 17.9 mi 5.9
Whitley County High School Williamsburg 18.0 mi 7.0
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Buckner Elementary School Lagrange, KY 7.5
Burnside Elementary School Burnside, KY 7.5
Glendover Elementary School Lexington, KY 7.5
Hustonville Elementary School Hustonville, KY 7.5
Newton Parrish Elementary School Owensboro, KY 7.5
Red Oak Elementary School Nicholasville, KY 7.5

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 ranks #301 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Whitley City Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Whitley City Elementary 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 Whitley City Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Whitley City Elementary School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 48% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
2 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
31.9%

District

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

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