Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Harlan County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Harlan County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 4,364 students in Harlan County, KY (there are 3 private schools, serving 198 private students). 96% of all K-12 students in Harlan County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
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 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Harlan County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Harlan Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8715
Gr: K-4 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
51 Nola St
Cawood, KY 40815
(606) 573-2502
Gr: PK-8 | 209 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #33.
Evarts Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
132 Keister St
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2386
Gr: PK-8 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #44.
Green Hills Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
123 W Hwy 221
Bledsoe, KY 40810
(606) 558-3533
Gr: PK-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Harlan High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8750
Gr: 5-12 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: #66.
James A. Cawood Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
279 Ball Park Rd
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-5029
Gr: PK-8 | 277 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #77.
Rosspoint Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
132 Hwy 522
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 573-4600
Gr: K-8 | 369 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #88.
Wallins Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
993 Hwy 219
Wallins Creek, KY 40873
(606) 664-3444
Gr: PK-8 | 352 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #99.
Cumberland Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
322 Golf Course Rd
Cumberland, KY 40823
(606) 589-2511
Gr: PK-8 | 428 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Harlan County High School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
4000 N Us Hwy 119
Baxter, KY 40806
(606) 574-2020
Gr: 9-12 | 945 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #1111.
Black Mountain Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1555 Hwy 215
Evarts, KY 40828
(606) 837-2214
Gr: PK-8 | 248 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
Appalachian Challenge Academy
Alternative School
465 Grays Drive
Grays Knob, KY 40829
(502) 607-5950
Gr: 9-12 | 100 students Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: n/an/a
Cumberland Tech - Harlan Campus
Vocational School
164 Ballpark Road
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
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Sunshine School
304 Surgener St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Gr: PK | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 110:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

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?
96% of all K-12 students in Harlan County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
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 29% (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: Evarts Elementary School vs. Black Mountain Elementary School

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (KY):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Kentucky Top-Ranked Public Schools
Kentucky Top-Ranked Public Schools
 Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
 The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights
The Impact of Social Media on Students – 2025 Updated Insights

More Articles

Evaluating Public Schools
Scholarships
Teaching
Public School Policies
Parenting and Learning Issues