For the 2026 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 3,543 students in Knox County, KY.
The top-ranked public schools in Knox County, KY are G R Hampton Elementary School, Jesse D Lay Elementary School and Barbourville City School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Knox County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 47% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Knox County have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 5% 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 Knox County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
G R Hampton Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
60 Ky 3441
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2840
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2840
Gr: PK-5 | 244 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #22.
Jesse D Lay Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
220 N Allison Ave
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2849
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2849
Gr: PK-5 | 325 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #33.
Barbourville City School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
140 School St
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3129
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3129
Gr: PK-12 | 755 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #44.
Knox County Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
311 N Main St
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 545-5267
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 545-5267
Gr: 6-8 | 522 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #55.
Dewitt Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 30-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
138 Ky 718
Flat Lick, KY 40935
(606) 645-2834
Flat Lick, KY 40935
(606) 645-2834
Gr: PK-5 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #66.
Central Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 Ky 3439d
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2832
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2832
Gr: PK-5 | 313 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #77.
Flat Lick Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
110 Kentucky 3085
Flat Lick, KY 40935
(606) 645-2836
Flat Lick, KY 40935
(606) 645-2836
Gr: PK-5 | 163 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #88.
Knox Central High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
100 Panther Way
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2843
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2843
Gr: 9-12 | 720 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #99.
Knox County Learning Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
135 Wall St
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2848
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2848
Gr: 6-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1010.
Girdler Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5452 N Ky 11
Girdler, KY 40943
(606) 645-2838
Girdler, KY 40943
(606) 645-2838
Gr: PK-5 | 267 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #1111.
Knox Appalachian School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1909 Ky Hwy 3439
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2842
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2842
Gr: 5-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: n/an/a
Barbourville Learning Center
Alternative School
140 School Street
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3120
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3120
Gr: 7-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1
Rank: n/an/a
Knox County Career And Technical Center
Vocational School
210 Wall Street
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2856
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2856
Gr: 9-12
Knox County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
180 Church Street
Artemus, KY 40903
(606) 546-4459
Artemus, KY 40903
(606) 546-4459
Gr: K-6 | 108 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
140 School St
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3144
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3144
Gr: PK-6 | 351 students Minority enrollment: 3%
140 School St
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3129
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 546-3129
Gr: 7-12 | 285 students Minority enrollment: 2%
Knox Inspire Academy (Closed 2024)
Alternative School
200 Daniel Boone Drive
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2830
Barbourville, KY 40906
(606) 645-2830
Gr: K-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Knox County, KY?
The top-ranked public schools in Knox County, KY include G R Hampton Elementary School, Jesse D Lay Elementary School and Barbourville City School.
How many public schools are located in Knox County?
15 public schools are located in Knox County.
What is the racial composition of students in Knox County?
Knox County public schools minority enrollment is 5% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
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