Ballard County Schools & Education

Ballard County, Kentucky

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

42/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

92.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

92.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 93.8%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,075

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,894

School Score

42/100

Higher = better

State avg 57/100

Student-Teacher Ratio

N/A

National avg 15.8 : 1

Free Lunch (Median)

N/A

National median 48.2%

State School Rank

#108

of 120 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Ballard County

School Verdict

Ballard County performs at an average level with a school score of 42/100 and a solid graduation rate of 92.0%.

Funding Context

At $6,075 per pupil, Ballard County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Ballard County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 27% below the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Ballard County, Kentucky

Personalized Education in Ballard County

Ballard County serves a total of 1,052 students within a compact system of five public schools. The infrastructure includes one elementary, one middle, and two high schools, managed by a single local district. This smaller scale allows for a highly personalized approach to public education in Western Kentucky.

Achieving Results on a Budget

Despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,075, Ballard County maintains a 92.0% graduation rate, which is five points higher than the national average. The county’s school score of 52.6 reflects a solid performance relative to its funding levels. While spending is below the state average, student outcomes remain competitive on the national stage.

The Unified Ballard County District

All 1,052 public school students in the county are enrolled in the Ballard County district. There are no charter schools present, meaning the district is the primary architect of the local academic experience. This creates a cohesive community where every student follows a similar educational trajectory.

A Small-Scale Rural School Setting

The entire school system is rural, with an average school size of just 263 students. Ballard County Elementary is the largest campus with 467 students, while Ballard Memorial High School provides a small-school atmosphere for its 260 students. This environment fosters close relationships between staff and families.

Discover Rural Living and Dedicated Schools

Ballard County is ideal for families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with schools that focus on individual student success. The small school sizes ensure that children are known by name, not just by their test scores. Look for homes in the area to join this supportive and high-graduating educational community.

School Overview

Total Schools

5

in Ballard County

Total Enrollment

1,052

students

School Districts

1

district

Charter Schools

0

0% of total

Student-Teacher Ratio

county average

Free Lunch (Median)

of students countywide

School Type Breakdown

Elementary1
Middle1
High2
Other1

1 School District in Ballard County

Ballard County

5 schools
1,052 students enrolled

5 Public Schools in Ballard County

Ballard County Elementary School

Ballard County

KG–5Primary467 students
Ballard Memorial High School

Ballard County

9–12High260 students
Ballard County Middle School

Ballard County

6–8Middle215 students
Ballard Co. Preschool/Headstart Center

Ballard County

PKOther110 students
Ballard County Career and Technology Ctr

Ballard County

9–12Vocational0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,075

State avg $6,894

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Ballard County rate?
Ballard County has a school score of 42/100, which is considered average. This score is calculated from graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and educational attainment data from NCES and the U.S. Census Bureau.
What is the graduation rate in Ballard County?
The high school graduation rate in Ballard County is 92.0%, which is above the national average of 87.5%. This figure is based on NCES district-level data for public high schools in the county.
How much does Ballard County spend per student?
Ballard County spends $6,075 per pupil annually on public education, based on NCES district finance data. This includes instructional costs, support services, and capital expenditures allocated across the student population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Schools in Ballard County, Kentucky — FAQ

What does the school system look like in Ballard County, Kentucky?

Ballard County serves a total of 1,052 students within a compact system of five public schools. The infrastructure includes one elementary, one middle, and two high schools, managed by a single local district. This smaller scale allows for a highly personalized approach to public education in Western Kentucky.

How do schools in Ballard County perform academically?

Despite a lean per-pupil expenditure of $6,075, Ballard County maintains a 92.0% graduation rate, which is five points higher than the national average. The county’s school score of 52.6 reflects a solid performance relative to its funding levels. While spending is below the state average, student outcomes remain competitive on the national stage.

What are the major school districts in Ballard County, Kentucky?

All 1,052 public school students in the county are enrolled in the Ballard County district. There are no charter schools present, meaning the district is the primary architect of the local academic experience. This creates a cohesive community where every student follows a similar educational trajectory.

What is the school experience like in Ballard County?

The entire school system is rural, with an average school size of just 263 students. Ballard County Elementary is the largest campus with 467 students, while Ballard Memorial High School provides a small-school atmosphere for its 260 students. This environment fosters close relationships between staff and families.

How can I find homes near good schools in Ballard County, Kentucky?

Ballard County is ideal for families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with schools that focus on individual student success. The small school sizes ensure that children are known by name, not just by their test scores. Look for homes in the area to join this supportive and high-graduating educational community.

Counties with Similar School Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Sources

Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.

Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.