Best Letcher County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 2,949 students in Letcher County, KY.
The top-ranked public schools in Letcher County, KY are Letcher County Central High School, Whitesburg Middle School and Cowan Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Letcher County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 29% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Letcher County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Letcher County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Letcher County Central High School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
435 Cougar Dr
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-2339
Gr: 9-12 | 692 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #22.
Whitesburg Middle School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
366 Park St
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-2761
Gr: 6-8 | 191 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 1%
Rank: #33.
Cowan Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
3125 Hwy 931 S
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-7195
Gr: PK-8 | 246 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #44.
Fleming Neon Middle School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
50 Second Street
Neon, KY 41840
(606) 855-9042
Gr: 6-8 | 131 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #55.
West Whitesburg Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
330 Park St
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-9538
Gr: PK-5 | 462 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #66.
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
55 Kona Dr
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 855-7544
Gr: PK-5 | 273 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Rank: #77.
Arlie Boggs Elementary School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1099 Hwy 806
Eolia, KY 40826
(606) 633-4654
Gr: K-8 | 110 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 4%
Rank: #88.
Jenkins Independent School
(Math: 18% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
9409 Highway 805
Jenkins, KY 41537
(606) 832-2184
Gr: PK-12 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 2%
Rank: #99.
Letcher Elementary & Middle School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
160 Lhs Drive
Blackey, KY 41804
(606) 633-2524
Gr: K-8 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
Rank: n/an/a
Letcher County Alternative Education Center
Alternative School
185 Circle Dr
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-5559
Gr: 8-12 | 2 students Student-teacher ratio: 1:1
Rank: n/an/a
Letcher County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
515 Cougar Dr
Whitesburg, KY 41858
(606) 633-5053
Gr: 8-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Letcher County, KY?
The top-ranked public schools in Letcher County, KY include Letcher County Central High School, Whitesburg Middle School and Cowan Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Letcher County?
11 public schools are located in Letcher County.
What is the racial composition of students in Letcher County?
Letcher County public schools minority enrollment is 3% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

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