Ashland Independent

The Ashland Independent school district in Kentucky serves 9 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 2 high schools, and 1 alternative school. The district as a whole is ranked 76 out of 157 districts in the state and is rated 3 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

Within the district, a few schools stand out. Hager Elementary School is the highest ranked elementary school in the district, ranking 219 out of 685 Kentucky elementary schools. It has strong test scores, with 59-68% of 3rd-5th graders proficient or better in math and reading, and a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate of 25%. The district's highest ranked high school is Paul G. Blazer High School, which ranks 81 out of 254 Kentucky high schools and has a high 4-year graduation rate of 93.5% and a low dropout rate of 1.1%. The small Ashland Alternative School also stands out, with a high 4-year graduation rate of 93.5% and a low student-teacher ratio of 4.3.

However, the district faces some challenges. All schools have alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rates of 25%, and performance on state assessments varies widely, with some elementary schools like Crabbe Elementary and Charles Russell Elementary struggling, especially in math. Additionally, the district serves a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with free/reduced lunch recipients ranging from 56.3% to 86.91% across the schools. Addressing these challenges and ensuring equitable access to resources will be crucial for the district to support the academic growth and well-being of all its students.