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Jesse D Lay Elementary School

Q: Is Jesse D Lay Elementary School a good school?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School ranks 103 rd of 684 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

103^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 684 Kentucky Elementary Schools

Better than 85% of Kentucky elementary schools

Summary

Jesse D Lay Elementary School serves 325 students in prekindergarten through grade 5 in Barbourville, in the Knox County area. Its latest results are generally above state and district averages, with 5th-grade social studies the clearest standout: 68% met the benchmark, compared with 38% statewide and 48% in the district.

Social studies and writing are the school’s strongest tested subjects, while editing and mechanics is a relative weak spot. In 5th-grade writing, 62% met the benchmark—third-highest among nearby schools with reported results—and the score was 27 points above the state and 16 points above the district. Editing and mechanics was 52%, equal to the district and 4 points above the state; six nearby schools scored higher. Math and reading averages across grades 3–5 were 58% and 63%, respectively, both above state and district averages. Results vary by grade: 4th-grade math was 63%, near the top locally, while 5th-grade math was 56%, behind several nearby schools, including Dewitt Elementary School and Corbin Elementary School. The 2025–26 4th-grade science result is suppressed and cannot be compared.

The school’s overall standing has risen over the longer term: its SchoolDigger percentile increased from 34 in 2015–16 to 85 in 2025–26, when it ranked 103rd of 684 schools and received 4 stars. Scores have not risen steadily, but average math and reading results across grades 3–5 were higher in 2025–26 than in 2022–23 by 11 and 7 points, respectively. SchoolDigger’s ranking for Disabled Students was especially high, reaching the 99th percentile in 2021–22, compared with the school’s overall 84th percentile that year. In 2024–25, the student–teacher ratio was 12.6, and 57% of students were free/reduced lunch eligible. Chronic absenteeism improved from 37% in 2021–22 to 24% in 2025–26, matching the state rate and sitting 16 points below the district’s rate.

325

Students ?

12.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,549

Per pupil spending ?

56.9%

Free/reduced lunch eligible (2024-25) ?

220 N Allison Ave
Barbourville, KY 40906

(606) 645-2849

District: Knox County

Students who attend Jesse D Lay Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Knox County Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.5%

Hispanic:

2.8%

African American:

1.5%

See top rated Kentucky elementary schools

Compare Jesse D Lay Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 34th percentile in 2016 → 85th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kentucky average (60% vs 44% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 15% of Kentucky elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 51 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school60%

District avg54%

Kentucky avg44%

103^rd of 684

Kentucky public elementary schools ?

Top 15%▲ up 51 pts since 2016

From bottom 34% (2016) to top 15% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 7Elementary Schools in the Knox County

47^th of 158Knox County 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	80.3	103 of 684	84.9%	★★★★☆
2025	70.5	168 of 685	75.5%	★★★★☆
2024	73.7	130 of 685	81.0%	★★★★☆
2023	74.4	122 of 687	82.2%	★★★★☆
2022	76.2	109 of 684	84.1%	★★★★☆
2021	65.0	130 of 517	74.9%	★★★★☆
2019	66.0	214 of 700	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.7	356 of 691	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2017	48.4	379 of 694	45.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	38.9	458 of 690	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2015	50.8	353 of 698	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	56.3	301 of 705	57.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.5	262 of 719	63.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	53.4	319 of 713	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	62.6	249 of 688	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2010	54.4	334 of 683	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	45.3	394 of 658	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	32.7	471 of 651	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	41.0	393 of 638	38.4%	★★☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2022	98.7	3 of 206	98.5%	★★★★★
2019	88.3	38 of 474	92.0%	★★★★★
2018	83.6	46 of 445	89.7%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	66.0	177 of 657	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	64.9	187 of 648	71.1%	★★★★☆
2024	72.6	124 of 644	80.7%	★★★★☆
2023	68.9	155 of 639	75.7%	★★★★☆
2022	80.8	66 of 641	89.7%	★★★★☆
2019	51.7	343 of 671	48.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.2	445 of 663	32.9%	★★☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	73.9	111 of 674	83.5%	★★★★☆
2025	62.3	210 of 672	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.2	154 of 665	76.8%	★★★★☆
2023	80.4	63 of 670	90.6%	★★★★★
2022	82.5	43 of 667	93.6%	★★★★★
2019	68.3	146 of 664	78.0%	★★★★☆
2018	52.0	288 of 631	54.4%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	83.9	63 of 651	90.3%	★★★★★
2025	68.2	159 of 653	75.7%	★★★★☆
2024	67.2	168 of 652	74.2%	★★★★☆
2023	73.9	105 of 652	83.9%	★★★★☆
2022	74.6	103 of 657	84.3%	★★★★☆
2019	74.7	123 of 676	81.8%	★★★★☆
2018	63.5	212 of 665	68.1%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	83.7	32 of 314	89.8%	★★★★★
2024	85.5	30 of 279	89.2%	★★★★☆
2023	88.6	20 of 257	92.2%	★★★★★
2019	56.8	281 of 661	57.5%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2026	75.0	115 of 650	82.3%	★★★★☆
2025	64.2	204 of 659	69.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	66.9	179 of 659	72.8%	★★★★☆
2023	70.7	138 of 658	79.0%	★★★★☆
2022	71.1	137 of 656	79.1%	★★★★☆
2019	70.4	137 of 592	76.9%	★★★★☆
2018	27.2	482 of 593	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Disabled (2022)99th percentile+14 vs school

Male (2026)90th percentile+5 vs school

Special Education (2026)90th percentile+5 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)84th percentile~ school

White (2026)82nd percentile-3 vs school

Female (2026)73rd percentile-12 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2025-2026) ?

Social Studies68%+30 vs state

Reading63%+13 vs state

Writing62%+27 vs state

Mathematics58%+15 vs state

Editing and Mechanics52%+4 vs state

★

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Schools Near Jesse D Lay Elementary 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 3rd Grade	KSA Mathematics 4th Grade	KSA Mathematics 5th Grade	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Reading 3rd Grade	KSA Reading 4th Grade	KSA Reading 5th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Science 4th Grade	KSA Science 7th Grade	KSA Writing 5th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 5th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 5th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Jesse D Lay Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 N Allison Ave	Barbourville	40906	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2849	325	26	12.6	56.9%	307 (94.5%)	5 (1.5%)	9 (2.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	80.3	103^rd of 684 public elementary schools	84.9%		70.5	168^th of 685 public elementary schools	75.5%	65	54.0	63.0	56.0				60.0	63.0	66.0						62.0		68.0		52.0		$16,549	$2,188	$13,114
G R Hampton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	60 Ky 3441	Barbourville	40906	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2840	244	18	13.8	70.1%	240 (98.4%)	3 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	89.9	40^th of 684 public elementary schools	94.2%		96.7	4^th of 685 public elementary schools	99.4%	36	77.0	68.0	62.0				77.0		71.0				68.0		67.0		55.0		57.0		$17,382	$2,150	$13,919
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1000 KY 3439d	Barbourville	40906	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2832	313	25	12.3	86.3%	287 (91.7%)	2 (0.6%)	10 (3.2%)	6 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.6%)	75.6	128^th of 684 public elementary schools	81.3%		84.5	76^th of 685 public elementary schools	88.9%	52	88.0	56.0	56.0					63.0	58.0				61.0		9.0		76.0		64.0		$16,987	$2,346	$13,371
Girdler Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5452 N Ky 11	Girdler	40943	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2838	267	21	12.9	86.9%	259 (97.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.9%)	69.6	178^th of 684 public elementary schools	74.0%		44.3	388^th of 685 public elementary schools	43.4%	210	55.0	45.0	58.0				66.0	43.0	67.0				40.0		58.0		42.0		70.0		$20,380	$1,950	$13,070
Flat Lick Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	110 Kentucky 3085	Flat Lick	40935	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2836	163	16	9.9	89.6%	161 (98.8%)	1 (0.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	58.3	259^th of 684 public elementary schools	62.1%		71	163^rd of 685 public elementary schools	76.2%	96	44.0	59.0	54.0				41.0	56.0	57.0				37.0		43.0		46.0		46.0		$20,081	$2,315	$16,257
Dewitt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	138 Ky 718	Flat Lick	40935	Knox County	Knox County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 645-2834	120	13	9.5	88.3%	119 (99.2%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	72.4	155^th of 684 public elementary schools	77.3%		91.5	31^st of 685 public elementary schools	95.5%	124			81.0					63.0	57.0								38.0		57.0		$20,036	$1,858	$16,677
Lone Jack School Center	Public	PK, KG-8	101 Creech Hollow Road	Fourmile	40939	Bell County	Bell County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 337-9461	196	15	13.5	82.1%	193 (98.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	55.1	287^th of 684 public elementary schools	58.0%		33.9	471^st of 685 public elementary schools	31.2%	184		58.0	29.0		39.0	56.0	67.0		42.0		72.0	61.0	50.0	22.0	42.0		46.0	67.0	33.0		$43,066	$6,018	$30,569
Lynn Camp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	366 North KY 830	Corbin	40701	Whitley County	Knox County	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(606) 645-2853	501	38	13.2	87.4%	473 (94.4%)	2 (0.4%)	13 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	8 (1.6%)	30.1	497^th of 684 public elementary schools	27.3%		22.8	551^st of 685 public elementary schools	19.6%	54	43.0	33.0	21.0				38.0	54.0	29.0				41.0		37.0		15.0		31.0		$15,306	$2,317	$11,774
Whitley County East Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	13781 Hwy 92E	Williamsburg	40763	Whitley County	Whitley County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 549-7097	268	20	13.4	84.3%	261 (97.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.1%)	93.1	20^th of 684 public elementary schools	97.1%		92.3	22^nd of 685 public elementary schools	96.8%	2			72.0	68.0			72.0		91.0						56.0						$20,412	$3,952	$15,596
Corbin Elementary School	Public	4-5	706 S. Kentucky Avenue	Corbin	40701	Whitley County	Corbin Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 528-4367	384	26	14.7	56.0%	347 (90.4%)	4 (1.0%)	19 (4.9%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.6%)	93.5	18^th of 684 public elementary schools	97.4%		94.8	14^th of 685 public elementary schools	98.0%	4		73.0	77.0					75.0	74.0				64.0		66.0		56.0		73.0		$18,428	$2,152	$12,175

Frequently Asked Questions about Jesse D Lay Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Jesse D Lay Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Jesse D Lay Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Knox County Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

Students at Jesse D Lay Elementary School are 94% White, 3% Hispanic, 2% African American.

Is Jesse D Lay Elementary School a good school?

Jesse D Lay Elementary School ranks 103^rd of 684 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Jesse D Lay Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 325 students attended Jesse D Lay Elementary School.

What district is Jesse D Lay Elementary School in?

Knox County

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Latest Kentucky data All new data »

2024–25 school spending dataNewOct 15, 2026

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

2025–26 KSA test scoresNewOct 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.