Hazard Independent

Hazard Independent has three schools serving prekindergarten through grade 12: Roy G. Eversole Elementary (PK–4), Hazard Middle (grades 5–8), and Hazard High (grades 9–12), with 1,016 students combined. The overall academic picture is positive but not even across every grade and subject: 21 of 24 reported 2025–2026 results were above the state result for the same grade and subject, while three were below.

Eversole stands out most consistently, especially in reading: its grade 3 result was 68% versus 49% statewide, and grade 4 was 73% versus 50%. Its average margin across reported results was about 11 points above the state, compared with about 8 at Hazard High and 3 at Hazard Middle. High’s clearest academic standout was grade 11 writing, 73% versus 47%; it also had a 99% graduation rate, compared with 94% statewide. Middle has strengths in grade 8 math (51% versus 39%) and grade 6 reading (60% versus 54%), but its grade 7 reading was 43% versus 50%, and grade 7 math was 37% versus 39%.

Compared with 2024–2025, the average margin over the state across the same 24 results grew from about 5 to about 6 points, an increase of about 2 points. Eversole and Middle improved their average margins, while High’s narrowed from 12 to 8 points; Eversole’s grade 4 science was a notable exception to its gains, dropping from 56% to 41%. SchoolDigger rates Eversole and High at 4 stars, in the 77th and 76th percentiles, respectively, and Middle at 3 stars, in the 63rd percentile. As context, all three reported free/reduced lunch eligible rates for 2024–2025: 58% at Eversole, 57% at Middle, and 50% at High; student–teacher ratios ranged from 12.8 to 14.7.