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 2025-26 school year, there is 1 public high school serving 449 students in Harlan Independent School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public high schools in Kentucky.
Public High School in Harlan Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 33% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 54% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Public High School in Harlan Independent School District have a Graduation Rate of 75%, which is less than the Kentucky average of 92%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Harlan High School, with 70-79% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kentucky or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
3 Schools
514 Schools
# Students
920 Students
214,764 Students
# Teachers
50 Teachers
13,404 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%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
57%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
30-34%
22%
Graduation Rate
75%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
2%
10%
% Black
3%
11%
% White
87%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
7%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $10,684 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,250. The school district revenue/student has declined by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,548 is less than the state median of $13,989. The school district spending/student has declined by 23% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$10 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$10 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$10,684
$14,250
Spending / Student
$10,548
$13,989
Best Harlan Independent School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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 | 449 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Recent Articles
2025 Classroom Size Trends: Are Classes Still Growing?
A 2025 update on U.S. classroom sizes, policy battles, student outcomes, and whether class sizes continue to expand.
Personalized Learning in 2025: Revolutionizing Education
Explore how personalized learning is reshaping education in 2025—insights, policy, impact, and real-world models for students, parents, and educators.
How Bullying Impacts Student Academic Performance in 2025
Explore how bullying harms student achievement, attendance, and well-being — and strategies schools use in 2025 to mitigate its effects.
