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Harlan County Kentucky CourthousePhoto: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0
D
Schools in Harlan · Harlan Independent School District

Harlan’s public schools score below 90% of Kentucky districts on tests and graduation

The four-year graduation rate in Harlan’s district is 74%, below the Kentucky average (91%). The grade covers the public school district serving Harlan, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.

≈could be anywhere from D− to B+K–12Where will my kid go?

From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
57%
▲ 12 pts vs KY 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
41%
▲ 3 pts vs KY 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
70–79%
▼ 12–21 pts vs KY 91%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.2K
▼ 24% vs KY $14.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
16.0
KY 15.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
3
900 students on the public path
In brief

Harlan’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 91 Kentucky towns with household incomes within a quarter of Harlan’s, its schools beat 5%, lower than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on tests

Reading proficiency is 57% and math 41% in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 70–79% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,213 per student, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle school

From grade 5 the district’s path is Harlan High School. Enrollment is up 28% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Harlan’s grade

A Test scoresD− Graduation

D: better than 10% of Kentucky school districts. Test scores are above the Kentucky average; graduation is below it.

Kentucky school districts we grade (172)Better than 10%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kentucky towns with similar household incomes (91)Better than 5%
D−B+A rough placement. Ordinary sampling error in 347 test results and a graduating class of 39 could put Harlan anywhere from D− to B+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Harlan’s students in the tested grades sat them (347 in math, 347 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Harlan, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–4Harlan Elementary SchoolHarlan Independent School DistrictA−
5–12Harlan High SchoolHarlan Independent School DistrictB

Harlan’s public schools are run by Harlan Independent School District. Parts of Harlan (10% of its land) are served by Harlan County instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Harlan Independent School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 3 schools · 900 students, up 28% since 2020–21 · 16.0 per teacher (KY 15.4)
$11,213KY $14,752 · FY2024
D
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading57%
State average 44.7% · 347 students tested
Math41%
State average 37.8% · 347 students tested

Harlan vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Harlan’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
HarlanDHarlan Independent

Every school in Harlan

3 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Harlanby address
Sunshine School
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
110 studentsRate it →
Harlan Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–4
A−
335 students15:1Rate it →
Harlan High School
High · Grades 5–12
B
455 students17:1Rate it →

Questions about Harlan’s schools

Are Harlan’s schools good?

On Kentucky’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Harlan children attend score below 90% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 5%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Harlan in?

Harlan Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 900 students in 3 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Harlan are served by Harlan County.

What is Harlan’s graduation rate?

70–79% of the class of 2023 in Harlan Independent School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.

How much does Harlan spend per student?

$11,213 in Harlan Independent School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Harlan families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Harlan → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.