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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bell County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 18 public schools serving 4,144 students in Bell County, KY (there are 4 private schools, serving 430 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Bell County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
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 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Bell County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Middlesboro Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
220 North 20th Street
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:
7/
10
Top 50%
9824 Us Highway 25 E
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-7061
Gr: 9-12 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #33.
Bell Central School Center
(Math: 41% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9821 Us 25-e
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-3104
Gr: PK-8 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #44.
Yellow Creek School Center
(Math: 36% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4840 West Cumberland Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 248-1794
Gr: PK-8 | 575 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #55.
Pineville Independent School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
401 Virginia Avenue
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5701
Gr: PK-12 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Page School Center
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
239 Page School Road
Pineville, KY 40977
(606) 337-5207
Gr: PK-8 | 272 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #77.
Middlesboro Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4400 Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8880
Gr: 5-8 | 284 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #88.
Right Fork School Center
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5296 Hwy. 221
Stoney Fork, KY 40988
(606) 337-3271
Gr: PK-8 | 152 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #99.
Frakes School Center
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
29 Henderson Settlement Loop
Frakes, KY 40940
(606) 337-2921
Gr: PK-8 | 117 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1010.
Middlesboro High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4404 Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8820
Gr: 9-12 | 337 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 23%
Rank: #1111.
Lone Jack School Center
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Creech Hollow Road
Fourmile, KY 40939
(606) 337-9461
Gr: PK-8 | 196 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #1212.
Middlesboro Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
3400 W Cumberland Ave
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8860
Gr: PK-4 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
Bell County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
9828 Us Hwy. 25-e
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
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Technical College
Vocational School
3300 Hwy 25e South
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
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Middlesboro Group Home School
Alternative School
220 North 20th Street
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-8800
Gr: 6-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: n/an/a
Southeast Technical
Vocational School
1305 Chichester Avenue
Middlesboro, KY 40965
(606) 242-2145
Gr: Inquire with school

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?
91% of all K-12 students in Bell County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
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 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Bell County are often viewed compared to one another?

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