Top Rankings
Ballard County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 1,039 students in Ballard County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Ballard County School District have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,537 Schools
# Students
1,039 Students
657,239 Students
# Teachers
70 Teachers
43,057 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Ballard County School District, which is ranked within the top 30% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#44 out of 172 school districts
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
22%
Graduation Rate
85-89%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
3%
10%
% Black
2%
11%
% White
86%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,145 is higher than the state median of $14,242. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,248 is higher than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$16 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,145
$14,242
Spending / Student
$15,248
$13,981
Best Ballard County School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ballard Memorial High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3561 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: 9-12
| 265 students
Rank: #22.
Ballard County Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3383 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #33.
Ballard County Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3561 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: 6-8
| 221 students
Rank: n/an/a
3383 Paducah Road
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: PK
| 90 students
Rank: n/an/a
Ballard County Career And Technology Center
Vocational School
11 Vocational School Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Ballard County School District?
Ballard County School District manages 5 public schools serving 1,039 students.
What is the rank of Ballard County School District?
Ballard County School District is ranked #42 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Ballard County School District?
86% of Ballard County School District students are White, 8% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Hispanic, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Ballard County School District?
Ballard County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is equal to the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Ballard County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $15,248 is higher than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
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