Johnson County Schools & Education
Johnson County, Kentucky
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataSchool Score
81/100
Percentile-style score
Score Band
Higher Signal
Graduation Rate
97.5%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
97.5%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,940
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,894
School Score
81/100
Percentile-style score
State avg 57/100
State Score Position
#2
of 120 counties by score
Education Data Brief: Johnson County
Measured School Summary
Johnson County has a higher measured school signal with a school score of 81/100 and a graduation rate of 97.5%, based on available NCES graduation-rate and school-score inputs.
Funding Context
At $7,940 per pupil, Johnson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 41% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.7 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 15% higher than the state norm.
School Data Brief
How to read Johnson 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
14 public schools and 2 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
81/100
Higher measured signal. Ranks #2 of 120 Kentucky counties with school score data.
Completion
97.5%
3.7 pts above the state average
Funding context
$7,940
$1,046 above the state average
School coverage
14
2 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
Johnson County has 14 public schools across 2 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 Johnson 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.
Dominant-district county
Johnson County carries most of the listed public-school system, with 11 of 14 schools. Start there, then verify whether your target address sits inside that district slice.
State position
#2
of 120 Kentucky counties with school score data. The county score is 24 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.
Johnson County
Elementary to high school visible
3,344 students
11 listed schools in this county slice.
Paintsville Independent
Elementary and high visible
766 students
3 listed schools in this county slice.
District reality check
Johnson County is the largest listed district slice, with 11 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 Johnson County?
Do the neighborhoods we like fall inside the same district, or are we comparing different Johnson 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 Johnson 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.
A Diverse Network for Johnson County Students
Johnson County features 14 public schools that serve a total enrollment of 4,110 students across two distinct districts. The landscape includes six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools, along with five specialized learning centers. This variety provides families with multiple pathways for primary and secondary education.
Two Districts Serving East Kentucky Families
The Johnson County district is the largest provider with 11 schools and 3,344 students, while Paintsville Independent serves 766 students. No charter schools exist in the county, meaning 100% of the 4,110 students attend traditional public institutions. This dual-district setup allows for both large-scale resources and smaller, independent school environments.
Close-Knit Schools with Town Charm
With an average school size of 411 students, Johnson County offers a more personal learning environment than many neighboring areas. Johnson Central High School is the largest facility with 955 students, while many elementary schools like Porter Elementary serve fewer than 420 children. Most schools are located in town settings, providing easy access for local residents.
School Overview
Total Schools
14
in Johnson County
Reported Enrollment
4,110
14 schools reporting
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
School Level Breakdown
2 School Districts in Johnson County
Johnson County
GuidePaintsville Independent
14 Public Schools in Johnson County
Sorted by reported enrollment. Dedicated profile pages are available for 1 high-enrollment school; every NCES public school remains listed here.
NCES 2022-23 public school data and FY 2022 school-finance dataLevel
Showing 14 of 14 matching schools
| School Name | Profile | District | Location | Grades | Type / Flags | Reported Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson Central High School | Profile | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | 9–12 | High | 955 |
| Johnson County Middle School | Record | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | 7–8 | Middle | 475 |
| Paintsville Elementary School | Record | Paintsville Independent | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 433 |
| Highland Elementary School | Record | Johnson County | Staffordsville, 41256Rural: Fringe | PK–6 | Primary | 419 |
| Porter Elementary School | Record | Johnson County | Hagerhill, 41222Rural: Fringe | PK–6 | Primary | 412 |
| W R Castle Memorial Elementary School | Record | Johnson County | Wittensville, 41274Rural: Fringe | PK–6 | Primary | 401 |
| Central Elementary School | Record | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | PK–6 | Primary | 338 |
| Paintsville High School | Record | Paintsville Independent | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | 7–12 | High | 333 |
| Flat Gap Elementary School | Record | Johnson County | Flatgap, 41219Rural: Distant | PK–6 | Primary | 205 |
| Johnson County Eagle Academy | Record | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | KG–12 | Alternative | 139 |
| Carl D Perkins Comprehensive Rehab Ctr | Record | Johnson County | Thelma, 41260Town: Remote | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Kentucky TECH - Mayo Regional Tech Ctr | Record | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Mayo Technical College | Record | Johnson County | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | UG | Vocational | 0 |
| Tiger Virtual Academy | Record | Paintsville Independent | Paintsville, 41240Town: Remote | KG–12 | Virtual | 0 |
Johnson Central High School
Johnson County
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Johnson County Middle School
Johnson County
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Paintsville Elementary School
Paintsville Independent
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Highland Elementary School
Johnson County
Staffordsville, 41256 / Rural: Fringe
W R Castle Memorial Elementary School
Johnson County
Wittensville, 41274 / Rural: Fringe
Central Elementary School
Johnson County
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Paintsville High School
Paintsville Independent
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Flat Gap Elementary School
Johnson County
Flatgap, 41219 / Rural: Distant
Johnson County Eagle Academy
Johnson County
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Carl D Perkins Comprehensive Rehab Ctr
Johnson County
Thelma, 41260 / Town: Remote
Kentucky TECH - Mayo Regional Tech Ctr
Johnson County
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Tiger Virtual Academy
Paintsville Independent
Paintsville, 41240 / Town: Remote
Education Funding Detail
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,940
State avg $6,894
Compare Nearby Counties
Review Johnson 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 Johnson County?
What is the graduation rate in Johnson County?
How much does Johnson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Johnson County, Kentucky — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Johnson County, Kentucky?
Johnson County features 14 public schools that serve a total enrollment of 4,110 students across two distinct districts. The landscape includes six elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools, along with five specialized learning centers. This variety provides families with multiple pathways for primary and secondary education.
What are the major school districts in Johnson County, Kentucky?
The Johnson County district is the largest provider with 11 schools and 3,344 students, while Paintsville Independent serves 766 students. No charter schools exist in the county, meaning 100% of the 4,110 students attend traditional public institutions. This dual-district setup allows for both large-scale resources and smaller, independent school environments.
What is the school experience like in Johnson County?
With an average school size of 411 students, Johnson County offers a more personal learning environment than many neighboring areas. Johnson Central High School is the largest facility with 955 students, while many elementary schools like Porter Elementary serve fewer than 420 children. Most schools are located in town settings, providing easy access for local residents.
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.