Top Rankings
Ballard County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Highest overall rank (Top 20%)
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Highest reading/language arts proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 2 public elementary schools serving 684 students in Ballard County School District. This district's average elementary testing ranking is 8/10, which is in the top 30% of public elementary schools in Kentucky.
ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools in Ballard County School District have an average math proficiency score of 40% (versus the Kentucky public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 55% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 12% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public elementary school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
5 Schools
1,082 Schools
# Students
1,039 Students
447,292 Students
# Teachers
70 Teachers
30,346 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Ballard County School District, which is ranked within the top 20% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 85-89% has decreased from 90-94% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#32 out of 172 school districts
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
55%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
22%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)85-89%
90%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.25
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
3%
9%
% Black
2%
11%
% White
86%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
8%
6%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $17,145 is higher than the state median of $14,242. The school district revenue/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,248 is higher than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has grown by 7% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$18 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$16 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$17,145
$14,242
Spending / Student
$15,248
$13,981
Best Ballard County School District ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Elementary Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Ballard County Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3383 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: K-5
| 463 students
Rank: #22.
Ballard County Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3561 Paducah Rd
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Barlow, KY 42024
(270) 665-8400
Grades: 6-8
| 221 students
Recent Articles
Opinion: Handcuffing in ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø Schools is a Gateway to More Violence
Some districts are banning handcuffing, while others are cuffing kindergarteners simply throwing a temper tantrum. Read this editorial to see why this author believes slapping the cuffs on children’s wrists only leads to more behavior issues and violence in their adult lives.
Whooping Cough: Should Vaccinations be Required for ºÚÁÏÍø¹ÙÍø School Enrollment?
Whopping cough is making a comeback, especially amongst children, prompting health officials to encourage pertussis vaccines and boosters. However, should the pertussis vaccine be required for public school enrollment? Learn about current proposed laws and its ramifications.
What are Common Core Standards and Why Do We Need Them?
With schools nationwide adopting common core standards, we’ll take a look at what they are, their benefits, and how they will change the face of public education.
