Bell County Schools & Education
Bell County, Kentucky
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
77/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
97.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
97.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,726
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,894
School Score
77/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 57/100
State Score Position
#4
of 120 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Bell County
Measured School Summary
Bell County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 77/100 and a graduation rate of 97.0%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
At $7,726 per pupil, Bell County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 35% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 12% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Bell County before comparing districts
County-level education data is best used as a screening layer. It summarizes the local school environment, then points you toward the district and school records that matter for local review.
Local context that changes the interpretation
18 public schools and 3 districts are represented below. Use those school and district records to confirm whether the county-level context fits the neighborhoods you are actually considering.
Overall screen
77/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #4 of 120 Kentucky counties with school score data.
Completion
97.0%
3.2 pts above the state average
Funding context
$7,726
$832 above the state average
School coverage
18
3 districts represented in the county school list.
Start with measured county context
This county screens well on the combined school metrics available here. Compare the score, graduation rate, and spending together rather than treating any single metric as final.
Check the local school mix
Bell County has 18 public schools across 3 districts, so school-level fit can vary inside the county.
Verify local rules
Use this page as county-level context, then confirm attendance zones, transportation, special programs, and current school boundaries with local districts.
What Bell County school data means before you move
County averages are useful for screening, but parents choose addresses, grade pathways, and district rules. This brief turns the public data into the checks that matter before you sign a lease or mortgage.
Higher-signal county
Bell County screens well on the measured county-level school signal. The next check is whether that strength is broad across districts or concentrated in a few school pathways.
State position
#4
of 120 Kentucky counties with school score data. The county score is 20 points above the state average.
Data confidence
Usable
3 of 5 county signals are present, and 100% of listed schools report enrollment. Compare schools, then verify missing fields locally.
K-12 continuity check
These are the largest visible district slices in the county data. They show whether elementary, middle, and high school records appear together or whether a family needs to investigate transition points.
Bell County
Elementary and high visible
2,453 students
7 listed schools in this county slice.
Middlesboro Independent
Elementary to high school visible
1,120 students
7 listed schools in this county slice.
Pineville Independent
Other grade structure
577 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Bell County is the largest listed district slice, with 7 schools. County pages do not prove address assignment, so verify boundaries with local district tools.
What the data cannot tell you
NCES records do not confirm current attendance zones, private-school options, transfer approvals, program capacity, transportation, or whether a listed school is available to a specific address.
Questions to ask before choosing an address
Which district actually serves the addresses we are considering in Bell County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Bell County district systems?
What changes at the elementary-to-middle and middle-to-high transitions in the district pathway we would likely use?
Which charter, magnet, or virtual options require a lottery, application window, separate transportation plan, or address eligibility check?
Are the largest listed schools the ones our address can actually attend, or are they only county-level context?
Education Overview
About Schools in Bell County, Kentucky
This context is screened for neutral school-data wording and should be read alongside the current metrics on this page. It is not school advice.
High-Quality Infrastructure in Bell County
Bell County manages a broad network of 18 public schools, serving a total of 4,150 students. This extensive system includes seven elementary schools, five high schools, and five specialized centers, split across three active districts. It is one of the more diverse educational landscapes in the region, offering varied school types and sizes.
Three Districts Providing Choice and Excellence
The county is served by the Bell County district (2,453 students), Middlesboro Independent (1,120 students), and Pineville Independent (577 students). No charter schools operate in the area, but the three-district model provides significant local oversight. Each district maintains its own unique tradition and strong graduation performance.
A Mix of Town Hubs and Rural Schools
Education in Bell County is split between 10 rural schools and eight town-based campuses, with an average size of 319 students. Bell County High School is the largest with 695 students, while many other schools maintain intimate sizes under 500. This variety allows families to choose between centralized town schools or smaller rural centers.
School Overview
Total Schools
18
in Bell County
Reported Enrollment
4,150
18 schools reporting
School Districts
3
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
3 School Districts in Bell County
Bell County
Middlesboro Independent
Pineville Independent
18 Public Schools in Bell County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Every NCES public school remains listed here; no school-level profile pages are included in the current generated coverage for this county.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 18 of 18 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell County High School | Record | Bell County | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | 9–12 | High | 695 |
| Pineville Independent School | Record | Pineville Independent | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | PK–12 | Other | 577 |
| Yellow Creek School Center | Record | Bell County | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 559 |
| Bell Central School Center | Record | Bell County | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 478 |
| Middlesboro Elementary School | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | PK–4 | Primary | 453 |
| Middlesboro High School | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | 9–12 | High | 352 |
| Page School Center | Record | Bell County | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 285 |
| Middlesboro Middle School | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | 5–8 | Middle | 281 |
| Lone Jack School Center | Record | Bell County | Fourmile, 40939Rural: Fringe | PK–8 | Primary | 199 |
| Right Fork School Center | Record | Bell County | Stoney Fork, 40988Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 138 |
| Frakes School Center | Record | Bell County | Frakes, 40940Rural: Distant | PK–8 | Primary | 99 |
| Middlesboro Alternative School | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | 7–12 | Virtual | 29 |
| Middlesboro Group Home School | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | 6–12 | Virtual | 5 |
| Bell County Area Technology Center | Record | Kentucky Tech System | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | 8–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| Cumberland Tech - Southeast Campus | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Cumberland Technical College | Record | Pineville Independent | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Cumberland Valley Health Tech Center | Record | Pineville Independent | Pineville, 40977Rural: Distant | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Southeast TECH | Record | Middlesboro Independent | Middlesboro, 40965Town: Distant | UG | Vocational | 0 |
Pineville Independent School
Pineville Independent
Pineville, 40977 / Rural: Distant
Yellow Creek School Center
Bell County
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Middlesboro Elementary School
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Middlesboro High School
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Middlesboro Middle School
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Middlesboro Alternative School
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Middlesboro Group Home School
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Bell County Area Technology Center
Kentucky Tech System
Pineville, 40977 / Rural: Distant
Cumberland Tech - Southeast Campus
Middlesboro Independent
Middlesboro, 40965 / Town: Distant
Cumberland Technical College
Pineville Independent
Pineville, 40977 / Rural: Distant
Cumberland Valley Health Tech Center
Pineville Independent
Pineville, 40977 / Rural: Distant
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,726
State avg $6,894
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Bell County against other counties using the same NCES-backed metrics.
Open CompareBrowse Public Schools
See school-level enrollment, grade ranges, school type, and district affiliation.
View SchoolsFrequently Asked Questions
Which Kentucky counties have the highest graduation rates?
What is per-pupil spending like in Kentucky?
How should I read the school score in Bell County?
What is the graduation rate in Bell County?
How much does Bell County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Bell County, Kentucky — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Bell County, Kentucky?
Bell County manages a broad network of 18 public schools, serving a total of 4,150 students. This extensive system includes seven elementary schools, five high schools, and five specialized centers, split across three active districts. It is one of the more diverse educational landscapes in the region, offering varied school types and sizes.
What are the major school districts in Bell County, Kentucky?
The county is served by the Bell County district (2,453 students), Middlesboro Independent (1,120 students), and Pineville Independent (577 students). No charter schools operate in the area, but the three-district model provides significant local oversight. Each district maintains its own unique tradition and strong graduation performance.
What is the school experience like in Bell County?
Education in Bell County is split between 10 rural schools and eight town-based campuses, with an average size of 319 students. Bell County High School is the largest with 695 students, while many other schools maintain intimate sizes under 500. This variety allows families to choose between centralized town schools or smaller rural centers.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Common Core of Data and School District Finance Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-finance signals.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.