Top Rankings
Knox County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 4 public middle schools serving 1,064 students in Knox County School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Kentucky.
Public Middle Schools in Knox County School District have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Kentucky public middle school average of 36%), and reading proficiency score of 43% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 4% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public middle school average of 27% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
14 Schools
557 Schools
# Students
3,717 Students
179,212 Students
# Teachers
310 Teachers
11,983 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
12:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Knox County School District, which is ranked within the top 50% 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 88% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#96 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
40%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
16%
22%
Graduation Rate
88%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)49.7%
28%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.09
0.45
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
2%
9%
% Black
1%
11%
% White
96%
73%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $16,346 is higher than the state median of $14,273. The school district revenue/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,655 is higher than the state median of $14,011. The school district spending/student has grown by 25% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$61 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$58 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$16,346
$14,273
Spending / Student
$15,655
$14,011
Best Knox County School District Public Middle Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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
100 N Ky 830
Corbin, KY 40701
(606) 645-2851
Corbin, KY 40701
(606) 645-2851
Gr: 6-12 | 447 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
