- Harlan County High School — Grades 9–12 · 945 students
- Cumberland Tech - Harlan Campus
- Kentucky TECH - Harlan Regional Tech Ctr
- Cumberland Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 428 students
- Rosspoint Elementary School — Grades K–8 · 369 students
- Wallins Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 352 students
- Evarts Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 335 students
- James A. Cawood Elementary — Grades PK–8 · 277 students
- Black Mountain Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 248 students
- Cawood Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 209 students
- Green Hills Elementary School — Grades PK–8 · 147 students
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| Metric | Harlan County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 3,459 | 3,700 | ≈ Near average |
| Number of Schools | 11 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $11,900/yr (est.) | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 7/10 — Good | — | Below average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 166 rated districts in KY → 63rd percentile → 7/10.
Source: Kentucky Dept. of Education Kentucky Summative Assessment, grades 3–8 Reading & Math, Proficient or Distinguished, 2024–25 school year (enrollment-weighted across grades). Full methodology →
About Harlan County School District
Harlan County School District is the public school district assigned to zip code 40820 in Harlan, Kentucky. Serving students from Pre-K – 12th, this district is the primary public education system for families living in and around zip code 40820. The sections below cover the district’s resources, scale, rating, and everything families need to know about enrollment and school assignment.
Understanding the 7/10 Rating
With a rating of 7/10 (above average), Harlan County School District ranks among Kentucky’s above average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Kentucky’s Summative Assessment grades 3–8 Reading & Math (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Kentucky is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Harlan County School District earns an above-average rating, with reading and math proficiency rates stronger than most other districts in Kentucky. Above-average districts generally show solid and consistent academic results across their schools. Families considering this area will find a district with meaningful academic strengths. Research the specific schools assigned to your address — even above-average districts have variation between individual buildings.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 40820
Children in zip code 40820 are assigned to Harlan County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 40820, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Harlan County School District at (606)573-4330 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Kentucky districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Cranks
For families considering a purchase in the Harlan area, district assignment matters financially. Because Harlan County School District serves zip code 40820, district assignment still factors into home-pricing comparisons between zip code 40820 and neighboring areas. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Kentucky, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Harlan County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 40820.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Harlan County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 40820 data.