For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 4,364 students in Harlan County, KY (there are , serving 211 private students). 95% of all K-12 students in Harlan County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY are Harlan Elementary School, Cawood Elementary School and Evarts Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Harlan County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 39% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Harlan County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Harlan County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harlan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Gr: K-4 | 352 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: #22.
Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
51 Nola St
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Gr: PK-8 | 209 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #33.
Evarts Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
132 Keister St
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2386
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2386
Gr: PK-8 | 348 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Green Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
123 W Hwy 221
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Gr: PK-8 | 128 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Harlan High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Gr: 5-12 | 449 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #66.
James A. Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Gr: PK-8 | 283 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #77.
Rosspoint Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
132 Hwy 522
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Gr: K-8 | 369 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #88.
Wallins Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
993 Hwy 219
Wallins Creek, KY 40873
(606) 664-3444
Wallins Creek, KY 40873
(606) 664-3444
Gr: PK-8 | 359 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #99.
Cumberland Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
322 Golf Course Rd
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2511
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2511
Gr: PK-8 | 451 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1010.
Harlan County High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4000 N Us Hwy 119
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 574-2020
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 574-2020
Gr: 9-12 | 944 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #1111.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1555 Hwy 215
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Gr: PK-8 | 256 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
Appalachian Challenge Academy
Alternative School
465 Grays Drive
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(502) 607-5950
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(502) 607-5950
Gr: 9-12 | 97 students Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Tech - Harlan Campus
Vocational School
164 Ballpark Road
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Kentucky Tech - Harlan Regional Tech Center
Vocational School
164 Ball Park Road
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-1506
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
304 Surgener St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Gr: PK | 119 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 119:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Harlan County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
600 Redskin Dr
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-4625
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-4625
Gr: 9-12 | 310 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
1995 Wildcat Dr
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2502
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2502
Gr: 9-12 | 332 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Gr: 9-12 | 668 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Harlan County, KY include Harlan Elementary School, Cawood Elementary School and Evarts Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Harlan County?
15 public schools are located in Harlan County.
What percentage of students in Harlan County go to public school?
95% of all K-12 students in Harlan County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Harlan County?
Harlan County public schools minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Harlan County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Harlan County include: Black Mountain Elementary School vs. Evarts Elementary School, Evarts Elementary School vs. Black Mountain Elementary School, Rosspoint Elementary School vs. Wallins Elementary School
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