Photo: Farragutful · CC BY-SA 4.0Paducah’s public schools outscore 74% of Kentucky districts
In Paducah, 53% of tested students read at a proficient level, above the Kentucky average (45%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Paducah, 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.
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.
Paducah’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 44% across both districts in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 95% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Paducah Independent spends $15,298 per student and McCracken County $12,998, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
St. Mary School System (private) is in town. Choices Educational Center, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
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.
What’s behind Paducah’s grade
B+: better than 74% of Kentucky school districts, #50 of 139 Kentucky towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kentucky average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Paducah, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Paducah · depends on your address
Concord Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 606 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Paducah Head Start Preschool
Grades PK · 251 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Paducah
Paducah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Paducah
Paducah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Paducah
Paducah Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 632 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Paducah
Paducah Tilghman High School
Grades 9–12 · 860 students · 15:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Paducah
Paducah Tilghman High School
Grades 9–12 · 860 students · 15:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Paducah
Paducah Tilghman High School
Grades 9–12 · 860 students · 15:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Paducah
Paducah Tilghman High School
Grades 9–12 · 860 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Paducah runs its own schools through grade 12 (Paducah Independent School District). From grade PK, students attend the McCracken County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Paducah
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Paducah vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Paducah’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Paducah | B+ | Paducah Independent PK–12 · McCracken County PK–12 |
Every school in Paducah
10 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).
Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Paducah Area Technology Center and West KY Technical College).
Questions about Paducah’s schools
Are Paducah’s schools good?
By Kentucky’s own tests, yes: the public schools Paducah children attend outscore 74% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #50 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 77%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Paducah in?
Two districts: Paducah Independent School District runs grades PK–12, and McCracken County School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Paducah kids go to high school?
Paducah Tilghman High School, with 860 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Paducah’s graduation rate?
95% of the class of 2023 in McCracken County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Paducah spend per student?
$15,298 in Paducah Independent School District and $12,998 in McCracken County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Paducah?
Yes: St. Mary School System (Catholic, grades PK–12, 423 students).
Parents talk
What Paducah families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Paducah → 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.