Robert W Combs Elementary School

Summary:

Robert W Combs Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK-8 in Happy, Kentucky, with 369 students. Unfortunately, the school has consistently struggled with low academic performance, ranking in the bottom half of Kentucky elementary schools over the past 5 years and earning a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's proficiency rates are significantly below the state and Perry County averages across nearly all subject areas and grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, only 16% of 3rd graders were proficient in reading compared to 47% statewide, and only 21% of 5th graders were proficient in math compared to 41% statewide. These achievement gaps have generally widened over time, and the school struggles particularly with subgroups like female students, white students, and low socioeconomic status students. The school's high poverty rate, ranging from 78-82% over the past 3 years, is a key factor contributing to its low academic performance.

Interestingly, nearby schools like West Perry Elementary and Viper Elementary significantly outperform Robert W Combs across most subject areas and grade levels, despite serving similar high-poverty student populations. Additionally, while Robert W Combs spends around $13,000-$14,600 per student, which is on par with nearby schools, its academic outcomes lag far behind, suggesting the issue is not simply a lack of funding. The school's struggles are part of a broader regional challenge, as neighboring Knott County and Letcher County schools also struggle with low academic achievement.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

 9165 Hwy 15 S
       Happy, KY  41746


(606) 476-2518

District: Perry County

SchoolDigger Rank:
557th of 685 Kentucky Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $18,132 Help


Students who attend Robert W Combs Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Perry County Central High School

Student/teacher ratio:  13.8 Help
Number of students:  361

Racial breakdown:

White:
97.5%
African American:
1.4%
Two or more races:
0.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  83.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Robert W Combs Elementary School ranks worse than 81.3% of elementary schools in Kentucky. It also ranks last among 5 ranked elementary schools in the Perry County School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 22.38. (See more...)
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Compare Details Robert W Combs Elementary School ranks worse than 72.5% of middle schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.96. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (97.5%), African American (1.4%), two or more races (0.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 83.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Perry County School District. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Robert W Combs Elementary School is 13.8, which is the 2nd best among 5 elementary schools in the Perry County School District. (See more...)
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Compare Robert W Combs Elementary School employs 26 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Robert W Combs Elementary School is $18,132. 3 elementary schools in the Perry County School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Robert W Combs Elementary School:

SchoolDigger ranks Robert W Combs Elementary School 557th of 685 Kentucky public elementary schools. (See Robert W Combs Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Elementary School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Robert W Combs Elementary School 235th of 324 Kentucky public middle schools. (See Robert W Combs Elementary School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Perry County:

SchoolDigger ranks Perry County 58th of 159 Kentucky school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Robert W Combs Elementary School

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Compare

Rank History for all elementary school students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 51.40 312th 638 51.1%
2008 54.19 311th 651 52.2%
2009 43.65 408th 658 38.0%
2010 63.17 250th 683 63.4%
2011 44.28 427th 688 37.9%
2012 42.19 432nd 713 39.4%
2013 29.84 564th 719 21.6%
2014 45.51 401st 705 43.1%
2015 32.37 523rd 698 25.1%
2016 36.14 495th 690 28.3%
2017 46.10 400th 694 42.4%
2018 47.53 373rd 691 46.0%
2019 52.90 332nd 700 52.6%
2022 14.96 613th 684 10.4%
2023 28.58 507th 687 26.2%
2024 22.38 557th 685 18.7%
See the entire list of Kentucky Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for elementary school Special Education students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 50.22 339th 661 48.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for elementary school Low Socio Economic Status students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 60.40 215th 631 65.9%
2019 62.43 210th 664 68.4%
2022 21.85 557th 667 16.5%
2023 40.74 391st 670 41.6%
2024 23.77 538th 665 19.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for elementary school Homeless students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 66.09 10th 34 70.6%
2019 88.81 2nd 40 95.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for elementary school Female students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 49.95 341st 663 48.6%
2019 54.06 318th 671 52.6%
2022 9.51 616th 641 3.9%
2023 34.85 438th 639 31.5%
2024 23.43 520th 644 19.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for elementary school Disabled students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 59.22 128th 445 71.2%
2019 57.43 155th 474 67.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for elementary school Male students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 47.21 377th 665 43.3%
2019 49.54 358th 676 47.0%
2022 26.70 504th 657 23.3%
2023 26.75 493rd 652 24.4%
2024 24.34 515th 652 21.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for elementary school White students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.86 448th 593 24.5%
2019 39.65 391st 592 34.0%
2022 10.93 630th 656 4.0%
2023 21.09 555th 658 15.7%
2024 16.27 596th 659 9.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Robert W Combs Elementary School

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Rank History for all middle school students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 36.01 190th 284 33.1%
2008 67.31 86th 287 70.0%
2009 74.97 58th 289 79.9%
2010 76.33 56th 299 81.3%
2011 31.74 231st 304 24.0%
2012 15.82 292nd 319 8.5%
2013 24.93 287th 335 14.3%
2014 46.68 187th 335 44.2%
2015 45.89 185th 337 45.1%
2016 43.40 192nd 331 42.0%
2017 27.99 265th 330 19.7%
2018 35.23 236th 322 26.7%
2019 39.55 219th 335 34.6%
2021 30.41 199th 282 29.4%
2022 40.45 184th 320 42.5%
2023 14.21 291st 327 11.0%
2024 29.96 235th 324 27.5%
See the entire list of Kentucky Elementary School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 43.83 174th 294 40.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 35.34 202nd 285 29.1%
2019 48.98 149th 303 50.8%
2022 59.60 90th 310 71.0%
2023 19.68 261st 309 15.5%
2024 43.32 167th 311 46.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.32 192nd 290 33.8%
2019 35.61 216th 299 27.8%
2022 37.64 190th 299 36.5%
2023 15.15 264th 295 10.5%
2024 36.23 193rd 300 35.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Disabled students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 45.59 86th 219 60.7%
2019 45.59 99th 226 56.2%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.24 223rd 293 23.9%
2019 40.25 188th 303 38.0%
2022 48.09 138th 304 54.6%
2023 11.28 286th 307 6.8%
2024 24.31 240th 304 21.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Robert W Combs Elementary School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 28.34 200th 253 20.9%
2019 39.01 168th 266 36.8%
2021 16.05 198th 213 7.0%
2022 33.07 215th 314 31.5%
2023 10.76 297th 320 7.2%
2024 25.30 247th 316 21.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky Elementary Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Robert W Combs Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 








Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Open Quote A really nice school with people who actually get to know the students and parents. My kids have been going there for the last 4 years and they love it. The principal is wonderful and he knows each student by name and you can tell he cares for them all. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Robert W Combs Elementary School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 619 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 620
1989 617 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 618
1990 633 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 634
1991 609 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 609
1992 616 1 1 0 0 n/a n/a 35 653
1993 583 3 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 587
1994 585 2 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 589
1995 579 3 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 585
1996 579 3 3 0 0 n/a n/a 0 585
1997 580 0 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 582
1998 538 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 539
1999 501 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 501
2000 490 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 490
2001 486 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 486
2002 480 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 480
2003 480 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 480
2004 484 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 485
2005 423 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 423
2006 422 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 422
2007 407 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 3 411
2008 435 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 2 439
2009 411 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 411
2010 418 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 418
2011 415 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 415
2012 436 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 437
2013 444 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 444
2014 462 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 464
2015 427 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 430
2016 426 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 431
2017 435 3 0 2 0 0 2 0 442
2018 409 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 412
2019 430 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 434
2020 417 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 420
2021 374 0 2 5 0 0 3 0 384
2022 357 3 0 3 0 0 2 0 365
2023 360 5 0 3 0 0 1 0 369
2024 352 5 0 1 0 0 3 0 361

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Robert W Combs Elementary School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 620 30.9 20.0 n/a
1989 618 32.8 18.8 n/a
1990 634 32.5 19.5 n/a
1991 609 33.2 18.3 n/a
1992 653 35.5 18.3 n/a
1993 587 34.6 17.0 n/a
1994 589 35.3 16.7 n/a
1995 585 37.5 15.6 n/a
1996 585 37.5 15.6 n/a
1997 582 39.3 14.8 77.5
1998 539 40.5 13.3 80.7
1999 501 29.9 16.8 86.4
2000 490 35.0 14.0 83.1
2001 486 28.1 17.4 88.9
2002 480 33.9 14.2 99.4
2003 480 33.9 14.2 99.4
2004 485 31.0 15.6 n/a
2005 423 31.7 13.3 n/a
2006 422 30.4 13.9 78.2
2007 411 26.0 15.8 65.4
2008 439 28.8 15.2 58.1
2009 411 28.7 14.3 51.3
2010 418 19.0 22.0 72
2011 415 27.0 15.3 82.4
2012 437 26.0 16.8 70.3
2013 444 26.3 16.8 72.1
2014 464 27.4 16.8 66.6
2015 430 28.0 15.3 71.2
2016 431 27.0 15.9 73.5
2017 442 28.3 15.6 80.1
2018 412 27.4 15.0 77.4
2019 434 26.1 16.5 79.5
2020 420 26.5 15.8 71.2
2021 384 25.2 15.2 81.3
2022 365 25.9 14.0 78.1
2023 369 25.0 14.7 82.4
2024 361 26.0 13.8 83.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Robert W Combs Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 620 30.9 20.0 n/a
1989 618 32.8 18.8 n/a
1990 634 32.5 19.5 n/a
1991 609 33.2 18.3 n/a
1992 653 35.5 18.3 n/a
1993 587 34.6 17.0 n/a
1994 589 35.3 16.7 n/a
1995 585 37.5 15.6 n/a
1996 585 37.5 15.6 n/a
1997 582 39.3 14.8 77.5
1998 539 40.5 13.3 80.7
1999 501 29.9 16.8 86.4
2000 490 35.0 14.0 83.1
2001 486 28.1 17.4 88.9
2002 480 33.9 14.2 99.4
2003 480 33.9 14.2 99.4
2004 485 31.0 15.6 n/a
2005 423 31.7 13.3 n/a
2006 422 30.4 13.9 78.2
2007 411 26.0 15.8 65.4
2008 439 28.8 15.2 58.1
2009 411 28.7 14.3 51.3
2010 418 19.0 22.0 72
2011 415 27.0 15.3 82.4
2012 437 26.0 16.8 70.3
2013 444 26.3 16.8 72.1
2014 464 27.4 16.8 66.6
2015 430 28.0 15.3 71.2
2016 431 27.0 15.9 73.5
2017 442 28.3 15.6 80.1
2018 412 27.4 15.0 77.4
2019 434 26.1 16.5 79.5
2020 420 26.5 15.8 71.2
2021 384 25.2 15.2 81.3
2022 365 25.9 14.0 78.1
2023 369 25.0 14.7 82.4
2024 361 26.0 13.8 83.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Robert W Combs Elementary School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,159 (7.9%) $294 (2.0%) $1,453 (9.9%) $9,873 (67.5%) $2,216 (15.2%) $12,089 (82.7%) $14,625
2019 $1,097 (8.2%) $413 (3.1%) $1,511 (11.3%) $7,955 (59.6%) $1,997 (15.0%) $9,952 (74.5%) $13,352
2020 $1,235 (10.7%) $622 (5.4%) $1,857 (16.0%) $9,120 (78.7%) $2,327 (20.1%) $11,447 (98.7%) $11,594
2021 $1,318 (10.0%) $1,187 (9.0%) $2,505 (19.0%) $8,801 (66.6%) $1,719 (13.0%) $10,520 (79.6%) $13,215
2022 $1,715 (9.5%) $1,850 (10.2%) $3,565 (19.7%) $11,035 (60.9%) $4,216 (23.3%) $15,252 (84.1%) $18,132

Data source: Kentucky Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Robert W Combs Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 332nd of 700 Elementary schoolsRanks 507th of 687 Elementary schools
 26.4%
Ranks 219th of 335 Middle schoolsRanks 291st of 327 Middle schools
 23.6%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students434369
 15%
African American15
 400%
American Indian00
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic23
 50%
Pacific Islander00
White430360
 16.3%
Two or More Races01
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients79.5%82.4%
 2.9%


Schools Near Robert W Combs Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Robert W Combs Elementary School

Robert W Combs Elementary School ranks in the bottom 18.7% of Kentucky elementary schools.

Students at Robert W Combs Elementary School are 98% White, 1% African American.

In the 2023-24 school year, 361 students attended Robert W Combs Elementary School.

Students who attend Robert W Combs Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Perry County Central High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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