Russell County Schools & Education

Russell County, Kentucky

NCES + U.S. Census Bureau

School Score

57/100

Higher = better

Rating

Average

Graduation Rate

96.0%

National avg 87.5%

Education Statistics

Graduation Rate

96.0%

National avg 87.5%

State avg 93.8%

Per-Pupil Spending

$6,343

National avg $13,239

State avg $6,894

School Score

57/100

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

#61

of 120 counties (1 = best)

Education Advisory: Russell County

School Verdict

Russell County performs at an average level with a school score of 57/100 and a solid graduation rate of 96.0%.

Funding Context

At $6,343 per pupil, Russell County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.

Attainment Context

Educational attainment data for Russell County is not available.

Neighbor Context

Its school score is 1% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 8% lower than the state norm.

Education Overview

About Schools in Russell County, Kentucky

Consistent Education in Russell County

Russell County operates six public schools that serve a total of 3,005 students. The infrastructure is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools under a single district management. This organized system provides a clear path for students from early childhood through high school.

Meeting State Benchmarks with High Success

The county's 96.0% graduation rate is well above the national 87% average and higher than the Kentucky state average. Russell County's school score of 55.3 matches the state average exactly, showing consistent performance. Per-pupil expenditure is $6,343, which is about $550 lower than the state's average spending.

Centralized Learning in Russell County

The Russell County school district manages five of the six schools and all 3,005 students in the area. There are no charter schools, meaning the traditional public system is the sole provider of education for local families. This single-district focus ensures that all resources are funneled into the primary county campuses.

A Unified Rural Learning Community

Every school in Russell County is classified as rural, creating a consistent environment for all students. The average school size is 601 students, with Russell County High School being the largest at 832. Even the smallest elementary schools, like Salem Elementary with 395 students, maintain a significant community presence.

Explore Homes in Russell County

For those seeking a purely rural school experience with strong graduation results, Russell County is an ideal choice. Families often search for properties near Russell Springs or Jamestown to be close to the major elementary and middle school hubs. High graduation rates make these neighborhoods particularly attractive to home buyers.

School Overview

Total Schools

6

in Russell County

Total Enrollment

3,005

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

Elementary3
Middle1
High2
Other0

1 School District in Russell County

Russell County

5 schools
3,005 students enrolled

6 Public Schools in Russell County

Russell County High School

Russell County

9–12High832 students
Russell County Middle School

Russell County

6–8Middle677 students
Russell Springs Elementary School

Russell County

PK–5Primary625 students
Jamestown Elementary School

Russell County

PK–5Primary476 students
Salem Elementary School

Russell County

PK–5Primary395 students
Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center

Kentucky Tech System

8–12Vocational0 students

Educational Attainment

Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure

$6,343

State avg $6,894

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools in Russell County rate?
Russell County has a school score of 57/100, 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 Russell County?
The high school graduation rate in Russell County is 96.0%, 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 Russell County spend per student?
Russell County spends $6,343 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 Russell County, Kentucky — FAQ

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

Russell County operates six public schools that serve a total of 3,005 students. The infrastructure is comprised of three elementary schools, one middle school, and two high schools under a single district management. This organized system provides a clear path for students from early childhood through high school.

How do schools in Russell County perform academically?

The county's 96.0% graduation rate is well above the national 87% average and higher than the Kentucky state average. Russell County's school score of 55.3 matches the state average exactly, showing consistent performance. Per-pupil expenditure is $6,343, which is about $550 lower than the state's average spending.

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

The Russell County school district manages five of the six schools and all 3,005 students in the area. There are no charter schools, meaning the traditional public system is the sole provider of education for local families. This single-district focus ensures that all resources are funneled into the primary county campuses.

What is the school experience like in Russell County?

Every school in Russell County is classified as rural, creating a consistent environment for all students. The average school size is 601 students, with Russell County High School being the largest at 832. Even the smallest elementary schools, like Salem Elementary with 395 students, maintain a significant community presence.

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

For those seeking a purely rural school experience with strong graduation results, Russell County is an ideal choice. Families often search for properties near Russell Springs or Jamestown to be close to the major elementary and middle school hubs. High graduation rates make these neighborhoods particularly attractive to home buyers.

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.