Top Rankings
Ballard County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 646 students in Ballard County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Kentucky.
Public Elementary Schools in Ballard County School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Kentucky public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 14% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public elementary school average of 30% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,089 Schools
# Students
1,015 Students
449,345 Students
# Teachers
66 Teachers
30,204 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Ballard County School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#32 out of 172 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
22%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85-89%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.26
0.48
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
11%
% Black
3%
11%
% White
86%
70%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
9%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,551 is higher than the state median of $14,269. The school district revenue/student has grown by 24% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,609 is higher than the state median of $14,008. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$16 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,551
$14,269
Spending / Student
$15,609
$14,008
Best Ballard County School District Public Elementary Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ballard County Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3383 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Gr: K-5 | 444 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Ballard County Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3561 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Gr: 6-8 | 202 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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