Paintsville Independent

The Paintsville Independent school district in Kentucky consists of two schools: Paintsville Elementary School and Paintsville High School. While both schools face challenges common to many districts, the data analysis reveals that Paintsville High School is a standout performer within the district, with stronger academic outcomes and higher statewide rankings compared to its elementary counterpart.

Paintsville High School consistently outperforms the state averages on ACT and Kentucky State Assessment (KSA) tests, particularly in English, mathematics, and reading. In 2023-2024, 53% of 11th-grade students at Paintsville High School were proficient or better in ACT English, compared to the state average of 44%. In mathematics, 47% of 11th-graders were proficient or better, compared to the state average of 30%. This suggests the high school is providing a high-quality education and effectively preparing students for college and career.

In contrast, Paintsville Elementary School lags behind the high school in terms of statewide ranking and test scores, indicating a need for additional resources or targeted interventions to improve academic outcomes at the elementary level. Both schools have relatively high free and reduced lunch rates, suggesting a significant population of economically disadvantaged students, which may contribute to the academic challenges faced by the district. However, the similar spending per student between the two schools suggests the district is allocating resources evenly, and the low student-teacher ratios at both schools could be a positive factor in supporting student learning and engagement.