For the 2025 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 4,144 students in Bell County, KY (there are , serving 369 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Bell County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Bell County, KY are Middlesboro Alternative School, Bell County High School and Bell Central School Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bell County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Bell County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Bell County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Middlesboro Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
220 North 20th Street
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8816
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8816
Gr: 7-12 | 31 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 31:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #22.
Bell County High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9824 Us Highway 25 E
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-7061
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-7061
Gr: 9-12 | 643 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #33.
Bell Central School Center
(Math: 41% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
9821 Us 25-e
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3104
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3104
Gr: PK-8 | 484 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #44.
Yellow Creek School Center
(Math: 36% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4840 West Cumberland Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 248-1794
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 248-1794
Gr: PK-8 | 562 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Pineville Independent School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
401 Virginia Avenue
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5701
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5701
Gr: PK-12 | 569 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Page School Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
239 Page School Road
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5207
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5207
Gr: PK-8 | 274 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #77.
Middlesboro Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4400 Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8880
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8880
Gr: 5-8 | 274 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #88.
Right Fork School Center
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5296 Hwy. 221
Stoney Fork, KY 40988
(606) 337-3271
Stoney Fork, KY 40988
(606) 337-3271
Gr: PK-8 | 146 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #99.
Frakes School Center
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
29 Henderson Settlement Loop
Frakes, KY 40940
(606) 337-2921
Frakes, KY 40940
(606) 337-2921
Gr: PK-8 | 115 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
Middlesboro High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4404 Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8820
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8820
Gr: 9-12 | 347 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #1111.
Lone Jack School Center
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
101 Creech Hollow Road
Fourmile, KY 40939
(606) 337-9461
Fourmile, KY 40939
(606) 337-9461
Gr: PK-8 | 217 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #1212.
Middlesboro Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
3400 W Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8860
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8860
Gr: PK-4 | 476 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
Bell County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
9828 Us Hwy. 25-e
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3094
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3094
Gr: 8-12
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Tech - Southeast Campus
Vocational School
1300 Chichester Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-2145
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-2145
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Technical College
Vocational School
3300 Hwy 25e South
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3106
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3106
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Valley Health Tech Center
Vocational School
Us Highway 25e South
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3106
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3106
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Middlesboro Group Home School
Alternative School
220 North 20th Street
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8800
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8800
Gr: 6-12 | 6 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: n/an/a
Southeast Technical
Vocational School
1305 Chichester Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-2145
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-2145
Gr: Inquire with school
Bell County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Bell County Alternative School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
9828 Us Hwy 25e Second Floor
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-0957
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-0957
Gr: 4-12
Bell County Education Center (Closed 2014)
Vocational School
560 Correctional Dr
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-7065
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-7065
Gr: 9-12
220 North 20th Street
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8816
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8816
Gr: 9-12
502 Ashbury Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8840
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8840
Gr: PK | 89 students Minority enrollment: 20%
401 Virginia Ave
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3412
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3412
Gr: PK-6 | 273 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
401 Virginia Ave
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-2361
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-2361
Gr: 7-12 | 235 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Bell County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Bell County, KY include Middlesboro Alternative School, Bell County High School and Bell Central School Center.
How many public schools are located in Bell County?
18 public schools are located in Bell County.
What percentage of students in Bell County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Bell County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bell County?
Bell County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Bell County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Bell County include: Bell County High School vs. Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro High School vs. Bell County High School
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in Public Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children鈥檚 wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for Public School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we鈥檒l take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
