Best High Schools in Zip Code 41240

ZIP code 41240 has two high schools: Johnson Central High School serves grades 9–12, while Paintsville High School serves grades 7–12. Enrollment is 888 at Johnson Central and 318 at Paintsville, but their student-teacher ratios are nearly identical, at 12.3 and 12.2. On the five shared grade-and-subject results for 2025–2026, Johnson Central averaged 56% proficient, compared with 44% at Paintsville and 43% for the matching state benchmarks. The clearest overall finding is that Johnson Central leads across the shared results, though Paintsville has a notable writing advantage.

Johnson Central High School stands out in math and reading: its grade 10 proficiency was 59% in math and 70% in reading, versus 30% and 38% at Paintsville—gaps of 29 and 32 points. It also led in grade 11 social studies, 43% to 41%, and editing and mechanics, 55% to 45%. Paintsville High School is the clear writing standout, with 65% proficient versus 51% at Johnson Central and 47% statewide. Paintsville also reports a higher graduation rate, 98% versus 97%; both schools report a 0% dropout rate. Chronic absenteeism is a concern at both: 43% at Johnson Central and 32% at Paintsville, compared with 24% statewide.

Recent results show different trajectories: from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, Johnson Central’s five-subject average declined by 3 points and Paintsville’s by 6, as Paintsville’s math and reading fell 22 and 25 points while its writing rose 13. Across the schools’ matched results, the average advantage over state benchmarks narrowed from 12 points to 7. SchoolDigger ranked Johnson Central 37th of 262 schools (86th percentile) in 2025–2026, and Paintsville 112th (57th percentile). For 2024–2025, the reported measure was free/reduced lunch eligible: 57% at Johnson Central and 47% at Paintsville. These figures provide context, not an explanation for school results. Paintsville’s science result is unavailable for comparison.