McCreary County Schools & Education

McCreary County, Kentucky

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

75/100

Higher = better

Rating

High Performing

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

$7,528

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,894

School Score

75/100

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

#9

of 120 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: McCreary County

School Verdict

McCreary County is a high-performing district with a school score of 75/100 and a graduation rate of 97.0%, reflecting strong academic outcomes.

Funding Context

At $7,528 per pupil, McCreary County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for McCreary County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 31% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 3.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 9% higher than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in McCreary County, Kentucky

Focused Rural Learning in McCreary

McCreary County operates four public schools serving 2,715 students within a single district. The network is streamlined into two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

Top-Tier Results and High Investment

The county achieves a stellar 97.0% graduation rate, outperforming both state and national averages. This success is backed by a per-pupil expenditure of $7,528 and an impressive school score of 58.4.

A Centralized Rural School System

The McCreary County district serves all 2,715 students in the region, with no charter schools present. This single-district model ensures that high levels of funding are distributed across the four primary campuses.

Large School Spirit in a Rural Setting

All four schools are located in rural areas, yet they maintain a high average size of 679 students. Pine Knot Elementary is the largest campus with 825 students, creating a vibrant and busy learning environment.

Discover Academic Excellence in McCreary

With some of the highest graduation rates and per-pupil spending in the state, McCreary County is a hidden gem for families. Explore homes in this rural enclave to secure a high-quality education for your children.

School Overview

Total Schools

4

in McCreary County

Total Enrollment

2,715

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

Elementary2
Middle1
High1
Other0

1 School District in McCreary County

McCreary County

4 schools
2,715 students enrolled

4 Public Schools in McCreary County

Pine Knot Elementary School

McCreary County

PK–5Primary825 students
McCreary Central High School

McCreary County

9–12High734 students
McCreary County Middle School

McCreary County

6–8Middle605 students
Whitley City Elementary School

McCreary County

PK–5Primary551 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$7,528

State avg $6,894

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in McCreary County rate?
McCreary County has a school score of 75/100, which is considered high performing. 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 McCreary County?
The high school graduation rate in McCreary County is 97.0%, 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 McCreary County spend per student?
McCreary County spends $7,528 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 McCreary County, Kentucky — FAQ

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

McCreary County operates four public schools serving 2,715 students within a single district. The network is streamlined into two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.

How do schools in McCreary County perform academically?

The county achieves a stellar 97.0% graduation rate, outperforming both state and national averages. This success is backed by a per-pupil expenditure of $7,528 and an impressive school score of 58.4.

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

The McCreary County district serves all 2,715 students in the region, with no charter schools present. This single-district model ensures that high levels of funding are distributed across the four primary campuses.

What is the school experience like in McCreary County?

All four schools are located in rural areas, yet they maintain a high average size of 679 students. Pine Knot Elementary is the largest campus with 825 students, creating a vibrant and busy learning environment.

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

With some of the highest graduation rates and per-pupil spending in the state, McCreary County is a hidden gem for families. Explore homes in this rural enclave to secure a high-quality education for your children.

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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.