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Harlan High School

Public Grades 5-12

22^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 262 Kentucky High Schools

Better than 92% of Kentucky high schools

Summary

Harlan High School serves grades 5–12 and enrolls 455 students in Harlan, Kentucky. Its overall standing is high, but results vary considerably by grade. The most important takeaway is that several high-school results are strong while some 5th- and 8th-grade results are well below state levels.

The school’s strongest results are in high school: 11th-grade writing reached 85% proficiency, 38 points above the state and 44 points above Harlan County High School; 10th-grade reading was 73%, 24 points above the state and 30 points above Harlan County. Harlan High also led Harlan County in every comparable 10th- and 11th-grade subject in 2025–2026, though the schools were nearly level in 11th-grade science. The weaker results were in 8th-grade math, at 18% versus 39% statewide, and 5th-grade writing, at 19% versus 35%. In all supplied comparisons, results for the school matched those for its district, Harlan Independent.

Results have shifted in different directions: from 2023–2024 to 2025–2026, 6th-grade math rose 24 points, while 5th-grade math fell 20 points and 8th-grade reading fell 19 points. Eighth-grade editing and mechanics dropped 32 points, from 70% to 38%. SchoolDigger ranked Harlan High 22nd of 262 Kentucky schools, at the 92nd percentile with five stars in 2025–2026; its percentile was 97 in 2023–2024, a five-point decline. Chronic absenteeism was 32%, 8 points above the state. The student-teacher ratio was 17 in 2024–2025, compared with 13.8 at Harlan County High. That year, 55% of Harlan High students were free/reduced lunch eligible; the comparable figures were 81% at Harlan County and 3% at Appalachian Challenge Academy.

455

Students ?

17.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$30,598

Per pupil spending ?

54.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

420 E Central St
Harlan, KY 40831

(606) 573-8750

District: Harlan Independent

Feeder schools for Harlan High School:

Elementary:

Harlan Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

88.4%

Two or more races:

5.5%

African American:

3.7%

See top rated Kentucky high schools

Compare Harlan High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 91st percentile in 2016 → 92nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 8% of Kentucky high schools

Worth a look

!High chronic absenteeism (32% vs 24% Kentucky)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg44%

Kentucky avg42%

Middle school

178^th of 326

Kentucky public middle schools ?

Bottom 45%▼ down 25 pts since 2016

From top 30% (2016) to bottom 45% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

22^nd of 262

Kentucky public high schools ?

Top 8%▬ steady since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

26^th of 158Harlan Independent among Kentucky districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	44.9	178 of 326	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	53.2	141 of 320	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	54.4	127 of 324	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	67.7	75 of 327	77.1%	★★★★☆
2022	77.9	43 of 320	86.6%	★★★★☆
2021	78.0	28 of 282	90.1%	★★★★★
2019	57.7	126 of 335	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.4	150 of 322	53.4%	★★★☆☆
2017	44.2	193 of 330	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	64.0	99 of 331	70.1%	★★★★☆
2015	64.5	98 of 337	70.9%	★★★★☆
2014	68.1	80 of 335	76.1%	★★★★☆
2013	76.2	44 of 335	86.9%	★★★★☆
2012	83.3	26 of 319	91.8%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	39.7	180 of 299	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	41.9	179 of 298	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.7	180 of 300	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	62.5	89 of 295	69.8%	★★★★☆
2022	61.0	80 of 299	73.2%	★★★★☆
2019	62.8	92 of 299	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.2	76 of 290	73.8%	★★★★☆

Homeless

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2024	51.6	10 of 28	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.2	22 of 32	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	48.2	147 of 313	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	56.3	120 of 314	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	61.0	95 of 311	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	66.0	77 of 309	75.1%	★★★★☆
2022	82.8	23 of 310	92.6%	★★★★★
2019	46.5	165 of 303	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	34.0	210 of 285	26.3%	★☆☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	57.0	103 of 299	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.8	77 of 303	74.6%	★★★★☆
2024	73.5	55 of 304	81.9%	★★★★☆
2023	74.5	55 of 307	82.1%	★★★★☆
2022	85.2	23 of 304	92.4%	★★★★★
2019	47.9	152 of 303	49.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	34.1	211 of 293	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	83.7	12 of 142	91.5%	★★★★★
2025	96.7	4 of 126	96.8%	★★★★★
2019	53.9	131 of 294	55.4%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	37.8	191 of 316	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	51.4	149 of 314	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.4	134 of 316	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.9	103 of 320	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	66.9	75 of 314	76.1%	★★★★☆
2019	59.9	98 of 266	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.6	143 of 253	43.5%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	83.6	22 of 262	91.6%	★★★★★
2025	87.2	15 of 254	94.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.7	10 of 290	96.6%	★★★★★
2023	87.7	12 of 276	95.7%	★★★★★
2022	58.2	94 of 271	65.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.9	107 of 267	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	96.4	6 of 285	97.9%	★★★★★
2018	84.5	27 of 271	90.0%	★★★★★
2017	78.7	38 of 287	86.8%	★★★★☆
2016	84.0	25 of 288	91.3%	★★★★★
2015	85.7	20 of 295	93.2%	★★★★★
2014	84.6	20 of 290	93.1%	★★★★★
2013	86.3	19 of 291	93.5%	★★★★★
2012	84.2	19 of 229	91.7%	★★★★★

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	92.7	6 of 244	97.5%	★★★★★
2025	87.7	14 of 239	94.1%	★★★★★
2024	85.3	16 of 261	93.9%	★★★★★
2023	82.9	19 of 253	92.5%	★★★★★
2022	69.6	49 of 252	80.6%	★★★★☆
2021	50.2	98 of 236	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	97.1	2 of 249	99.2%	★★★★★
2018	42.9	149 of 234	36.3%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	90.0	6 of 245	97.6%	★★★★★
2025	89.2	13 of 242	94.6%	★★★★★
2024	91.0	8 of 274	97.1%	★★★★★
2023	91.4	7 of 272	97.4%	★★★★★
2022	56.9	95 of 266	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	12.6	225 of 234	3.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	93.9	3 of 254	98.8%	★★★★★
2018	80.5	26 of 232	88.8%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	81.8	22 of 243	90.9%	★★★★★
2025	85.0	20 of 239	91.6%	★★★★★
2024	95.0	5 of 262	98.1%	★★★★★
2023	86.2	13 of 259	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	38.9	143 of 257	44.4%	★★☆☆☆
2021	20.6	203 of 238	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	90.2	12 of 251	95.2%	★★★★★
2018	93.9	10 of 237	95.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	92.1	4 of 84	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	98.2	2 of 226	99.1%	★★★★★

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	79.5	32 of 253	87.4%	★★★★☆
2025	79.9	31 of 251	87.6%	★★★★☆
2024	89.4	15 of 273	94.5%	★★★★★
2023	87.5	18 of 264	93.2%	★★★★★
2022	58.1	88 of 260	66.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	65.5	57 of 198	71.2%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Special Education (2026)92nd percentile+46 vs school

Male (2026)66th percentile+20 vs school

Homeless (2024)64th percentile+3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)53rd percentile+8 vs school

Female (2026)40th percentile-6 vs school

White (2026)40th percentile-6 vs school

High school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)98th percentile+6 vs school

Female (2026)98th percentile+6 vs school

Special Education (2026)95th percentile+4 vs school

Male (2026)91st percentile~ school

White (2026)87th percentile-4 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Reading54%+5 vs state

Writing52%+9 vs state

Editing and Mechanics48%+5 vs state

Social Studies38%~ state avg

Mathematics36%-5 vs state

Science31%+6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Harlan High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				KSA Mathematics (2026)					KSA Reading (2026)					KSA Science (2026)		KSA Writing (2026)			KSA Social Studies (2026)			KSA Editing and Mechanics (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/reduced lunch (2024-25)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	KSA Mathematics 5th Grade	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Mathematics 10th Grade	KSA Reading 5th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Reading 10th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Science 11th Grade	KSA Writing 5th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Writing 11th Grade	KSA Social Studies 5th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 11th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 5th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Harlan High School	Public	5-12	420 E Central St	Harlan	40831	Harlan County	Harlan Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 573-8750	455	27	17.0	54.9%	402 (88.4%)	17 (3.7%)	8 (1.8%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.5%)	83.6	22^nd of 262 public high schools	91.6%		87.2	15^th of 254 public high schools	94.1%	7	30.0	46.0	37.0	18.0	48.0	48.0	55.0	57.0	35.0	73.0	39.0	23.0	19.0		85.0	29.0	33.0	53.0	40.0	38.0	66.0	$30,598	$4,358	$20,582
Appalachian Challenge Academy	Public	9-12	465 Grays Drive	Grays Knob	40829	Harlan County	Kentucky National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academies	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(502) 607-5950	100			3.0%	86 (86.0%)	9 (9.0%)	2 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.0%)								(n/a)
Harlan County High School	Public	9-12	4000 N US Hwy 119	Baxter	40806	Harlan County	Harlan County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 574-2020	945	68	13.8	81.2%	889 (94.1%)	22 (2.3%)	20 (2.1%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (1.3%)	40.1	158^th of 262 public high schools	39.7%		42.5	158^th of 254 public high schools	37.8%						36.0					43.0		22.0			41.0			26.0			44.0	$15,691	$1,892	$13,671

Frequently Asked Questions about Harlan High School

What is the racial makeup of Harlan High School?

Students at Harlan High School are 88% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Hispanic.

Is Harlan High School a good school?

Yes. Harlan High School ranks in the top 8.4% of Kentucky high schools.

What district is Harlan High School in?

Harlan Independent

How many students attend Harlan High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 455 students attended Harlan High School.

What schools feed into Harlan High School?

Harlan High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Harlan Elementary School

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Latest Kentucky data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataOct 15, 2026

2025–26 attendance data, dropout rates & graduation ratesOct 15, 2026

2025–26 KSA test scoresOct 15, 2026

2024–25 KSA test scoresOct 30, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.