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Central Elementary School

Q: Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks 76 th of 685 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

76^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 685 Kentucky Elementary Schools

Better than 89% of Kentucky elementary schools

Summary

Central Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Barbourville, Kentucky, serving grades PK-5 with a total enrollment of 311 students. The school is part of the Knox County School District, which is ranked 42 out of 157 districts in Kentucky and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Central Elementary School consistently ranks among the top 25% of Kentucky elementary schools, with a current ranking of 76 out of 685 schools. The school's performance on the Kentucky State Assessments (KSA) is significantly higher than the Knox County and state averages across multiple grade levels and subject areas, particularly in Mathematics and Reading. For example, in 2024-2025, 78% of 3rd graders at Central Elementary were proficient or better in Mathematics, compared to 56% in Knox County and 43% statewide. Additionally, Central Elementary School ranks exceptionally high for its performance with special education students and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, placing in the top 5% and top 5%, respectively, among Kentucky elementary schools.

While Central Elementary School outperforms the Knox County and state averages, some nearby schools, such as Dewitt Elementary and G.R. Hampton Elementary, also demonstrate strong academic performance, particularly in specific subject areas. However, Central Elementary School has experienced high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 25% to 47.2% in recent years, which may negatively impact student learning and achievement if not addressed. Understanding the factors contributing to these fluctuations could help the school maintain a consistently high level of performance.

313

Students ?

12.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,846

Per pupil spending ?

86.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1000 KY 3439d
Barbourville, KY 40906

(606) 645-2832

District: Knox County

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Knox County Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

91.7%

Hispanic:

3.2%

Two or more races:

2.6%

See top rated Kentucky elementary schools

Compare Central Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 18th percentile in 2015 → 89th in 2025

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Kentucky average (64% vs 44% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Kentucky elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 71 percentile points since 2015

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school64%

District avg51%

Kentucky avg44%

76^th of 685

Kentucky public elementary schools ?

Top 11%▲ up 70 pts since 2015

From bottom 18% (2015) to top 11% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 7Elementary Schools in the Knox County

42^nd of 157Knox 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
2025	84.5	76 of 685	88.9%	★★★★☆
2024	84.4	72 of 685	89.5%	★★★★☆
2023	44.4	380 of 687	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.1	255 of 684	62.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	51.9	220 of 517	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.2	319 of 700	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	37.6	462 of 691	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	48.4	378 of 694	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	34.6	511 of 690	25.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	26.3	569 of 698	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	27.0	572 of 705	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	26.4	591 of 719	17.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	23.4	610 of 713	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	12.1	633 of 688	8.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2010	24.3	575 of 683	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	83.6	56 of 474	88.2%	★★★★☆
2018	70.3	84 of 445	81.1%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	70.5	148 of 648	77.2%	★★★★☆
2024	73.1	119 of 644	81.5%	★★★★☆
2023	43.1	367 of 639	42.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	57.4	233 of 641	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.2	377 of 671	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	24.9	559 of 663	15.7%	★☆☆☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	91.2	29 of 672	95.7%	★★★★★
2024	88.4	31 of 665	95.3%	★★★★★
2023	58.9	210 of 670	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	69.4	117 of 667	82.5%	★★★★☆
2021	56.1	121 of 275	56.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.2	229 of 664	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.0	334 of 631	47.1%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	85.8	54 of 653	91.7%	★★★★★
2024	92.4	16 of 652	97.5%	★★★★★
2023	46.1	350 of 652	46.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	59.1	210 of 657	68.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	59.9	256 of 676	62.1%	★★★☆☆
2018	51.4	334 of 665	49.8%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	96.2	13 of 306	95.8%	★★★★★
2024	98.5	4 of 279	98.6%	★★★★★
2023	97.4	6 of 257	97.7%	★★★★★
2019	45.6	392 of 661	40.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	79.0	103 of 659	84.4%	★★★★☆
2024	81.0	85 of 659	87.1%	★★★★☆
2023	38.6	408 of 658	38.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.7	279 of 656	57.5%	★★★☆☆
2019	48.2	311 of 592	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	28.2	476 of 593	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆

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)

Special Education (2025)96th percentile+7 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)96th percentile+7 vs school

Male (2025)92nd percentile+3 vs school

Disabled (2019)88th percentile+34 vs school

White (2025)84th percentile-5 vs school

Female (2025)77th percentile-12 vs school

By subject vs Kentucky (2024-2025) ?

Social Studies73%+35 vs state

Mathematics68%+25 vs state

Reading67%+18 vs state

Editing and Mechanics63%+16 vs state

Writing53%+15 vs state

Science44%+7 vs state

★

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Schools Near Central Elementary School

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

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				KSA Mathematics (2025)						KSA Reading (2025)						KSA Science (2025)		KSA Writing (2025)		KSA Social Studies (2025)		KSA Editing and Mechanics (2025)		Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
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/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
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%)	84.5	76^th of 685 public elementary schools	88.9%		84.4	72^nd of 685 public elementary schools	89.5%	4	78.0	58.0	69.0				75.0	67.0	59.0				44.0		53.0		73.0		63.0		$15,846	$2,759	$716	$3,475	$10,267	$2,103	$12,370
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%)	70.5	168^th of 685 public elementary schools	75.5%		73.7	130^th of 685 public elementary schools	81.0%	38	79.0	35.0	46.0				71.0	48.0	63.0				40.0		65.0		63.0		54.0		$15,247	$2,587	$742	$3,330	$10,018	$1,899	$11,917
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%)	96.7	4^th of 685 public elementary schools	99.4%		90.6	30^th of 685 public elementary schools	95.6%	26		80.0	73.0				78.0	80.0									77.0		73.0		$16,591	$2,797	$744	$3,541	$10,996	$2,055	$13,050
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%)	71	163^rd of 685 public elementary schools	76.2%		74.2	128^th of 685 public elementary schools	81.3%	35	57.0	52.0	54.0				46.0	68.0	63.0				44.0		71.0		50.0		42.0		$16,870	$2,263	$854	$3,117	$11,217	$2,537	$13,753
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%)	44.3	388^th of 685 public elementary schools	43.4%		43.9	378^th of 685 public elementary schools	44.8%	10	45.0	43.0	23.0				49.0	63.0	35.0								35.0		48.0		$16,138	$2,829	$694	$3,522	$10,140	$2,476	$12,616
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%)	91.5	31^st of 685 public elementary schools	95.5%		77.6	107^th of 685 public elementary schools	84.4%	76			80.0				75.0	76.0											60.0		$18,517	$3,331	$847	$4,178	$11,292	$3,046	$14,339
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%)	33.9	471^st of 685 public elementary schools	31.2%		26.2	529^th of 685 public elementary schools	22.8%	58	36.0	29.0	25.0	32.0	56.0		68.0	43.0	44.0	52.0	63.0	56.0	29.0	50.0	50.0	88.0	19.0	38.0	25.0	63.0	$33,320	$2,710	$62	$2,772	$22,563	$3,005	$25,564
Whitley County East Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	13781 Hwy 92E	Williamsburg	40769	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%)	92.3	22^nd of 685 public elementary schools	96.8%		92.3	19^th of 685 public elementary schools	97.2%	3	85.0	68.0		64.0			77.0	76.0		77.0					50.0		85.0		75.0		$19,231	$3,359	$1,303	$4,662	$11,158	$2,559	$13,717
Lynn Camp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	366 North KY 830	Corbin	40701	Knox 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%)	22.8	551^st of 685 public elementary schools	19.6%		32	481^st of 685 public elementary schools	29.8%	70	19.0	20.0	15.0				26.0	41.0	32.0				24.0		56.0		31.0		38.0		$13,072	$1,854	$780	$2,634	$8,559	$1,879	$10,438
Bell Central School Center	Public	PK, KG-8	9821 Us 25-E	Pineville	40977	Bell County	Bell County	No	No	No	Yes	(606) 337-3104	502	35	14.2	77.3%	495 (98.6%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	42.7	405^th of 685 public elementary schools	40.9%		47	352^nd of 685 public elementary schools	48.6%	53		47.0	49.0	53.0	57.0	45.0	31.0	47.0	47.0	60.0	76.0	63.0	33.0	26.0	25.0	66.0	33.0	43.0	31.0	54.0	$29,764	$2,710	$62	$2,769	$20,404	$3,006	$23,410

Frequently Asked Questions about Central Elementary School

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 313 students attended Central Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Central Elementary School?

Students at Central Elementary School are 92% White, 3% Hispanic, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Central Elementary School a good school?

Central Elementary School ranks 76^th of 685 Kentucky elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Central Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Central Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Knox County Middle School

What district is Central Elementary School in?

Knox County

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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.