Top Rankings
Harlan Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%)
Science Proficiency
Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 3 public schools serving 900 students in Harlan Independent School District. This district's average testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Harlan Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 58% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
3 Schools
1,541 Schools
# Students
900 Students
655,790 Students
# Teachers
51 Teachers
42,793 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Harlan Independent School District, which is ranked within the top 30% 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 75% has decreased from 90% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#56 out of 172 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
38%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
45%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
22%
Graduation Rate
75%
91.4%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)38.2%
28%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.23
0.48
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
2%
10%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
3%
11%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
87%
71%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
6%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,200 in this school district is less than the state median of $17,532. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,009 is less than the state median of $17,223. The school district spending/student has declined by 21% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$14 MM
$11,498 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$13 MM
$11,295 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$15,200
$17,532
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,009
$17,223
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Harlan Independent School District Public Schools (2026-27)
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 | 335 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
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 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 12%
Rank: n/an/a
304 Surgener St
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Harlan, KY 40831
(606) 573-8714
Gr: PK | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 110:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District manages 3 public schools serving 900 students.
What is the rank of Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District is ranked #51 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (top 30%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 10%) and Highest science proficiency (Top 10%)
What is the racial composition of students in Harlan Independent School District?
87% of Harlan Independent School District students are White, 7% of students are Two or more races, 3% of students are Black, 2% of students are Hispanic, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Harlan Independent School District?
Harlan Independent School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is higher than the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Harlan Independent School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,009 is less than the state median of $17,223. The school district spending/student has declined by 21% over four school years.
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