For the 2025 school year, there are 5 public schools serving 2,727 students in Mccreary County, KY (there are , serving 24 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Mccreary County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Mccreary County, KY are Mccreary Central High School, Pine Knot Intermediate and Mccreary County Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Mccreary County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Mccreary County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Mccreary County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Mccreary Central High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 Raider Way
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5051
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5051
Grades: 9-12
| 718 students
Rank: #22.
Pine Knot Intermediate
(Math: 44% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
6519 S Hwy 1651
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2511
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2511
Grades: 3-5
| 356 students
Rank: #33.
Mccreary County Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
180 Raider Way
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5081
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5081
Grades: 6-8
| 606 students
Rank: #44.
Whitley City Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2819 N Hwy 27
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-2690
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 376-2690
Grades: PK-5
| 561 students
Rank: n/an/a
119 East Highway 2792
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2161
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2161
Grades: PK-2
| 486 students
Mccreary County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
70 Eagle Road
Parkers Lake, KY 42634
(606) 376-2305
Parkers Lake, KY 42634
(606) 376-2305
Grades: K-5
| 116 students
Mccreary Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
400 Raider Way
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-1477
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-1477
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
2819 North Hwy 27
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 354-3590
Whitley City, KY 42653
(606) 354-3590
Grades: PK
| 50 students
119 East Hwy 92
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-3590
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-3590
Grades: PK
| 83 students
Pine Knot Career Institute High School (Closed 2015)
Alternative School
132 Job Corps Road
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-4250
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-4250
Grades: 9-12
| 55 students
6519 S Hwy 1651
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 376-2511
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 376-2511
Grades: 4-6
| 392 students
119 East Hwy 2792
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2161
Pine Knot, KY 42635
(606) 354-2161
Grades: K-3
| 535 students
30 Smithtown School Rd
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-2222
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-2222
Grades: K-5
| 148 students
145 Hume Dr
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5385
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5385
Grades: K-5
| 230 students
180 Raider Way
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5081
Stearns, KY 42647
(606) 376-5081
Grades: 6-8
| 442 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Mccreary County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Mccreary County, KY include Mccreary Central High School, Pine Knot Intermediate and Mccreary County Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Mccreary County?
5 public schools are located in Mccreary County.
What percentage of students in Mccreary County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Mccreary County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Mccreary County?
Mccreary County public schools minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.