Total enrollment
2,668
-61 (-2%) vs SY 2020-21
McCreary County
Kentucky · Public K-12
McCreary County's school count of 5 reflects a public K-12 system serving about 2,668 students inside Kentucky, around 16% of the county population. By grade band, the county runs 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools.
4-year change in McCreary County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
5
+1 (+25%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How McCreary County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Kentucky | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 41.0% | #59 of 109 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,668 | #67 of 110 | #1,955 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 5 | #92 of 110 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 15.1:1 | #40 of 110 | #1,808 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 82.3% | #1 of 110 | #460 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 8.4% | #95 of 110 | #2,560 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Residents
16,867
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
5
1 districts
Enrollment
2,668
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$33,750
Below Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
82.3%
Above Kentucky avg
Elementary
3
1,324 students
Middle
1
633 students
High
1
711 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
McCreary County Public Schools
2,668 students · 1 district in McCreary County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of McCreary County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
8.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
32.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
4.2%
civilian labor
Median age
39
21.8% under 18
Test scores in McCreary County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 4 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.
Top 4 schools (ELA)
- Whitley City Elementary School· 62.3%
- Pine Knot Intermediate· 59.7%
- McCreary Central High School· 48.0%
- McCreary County Middle School· 36.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCreary Central High School | Stearns | High | 09-12 | 711 | · |
| McCreary County Middle School | Stearns | Middle | 06-08 | 633 | · |
| Whitley City Elementary School | Whitley City | Elementary | PK-05 | 547 | · |
| Pine Knot Primary | Pine Knot | Elementary | PK-02 | 425 | · |
| Pine Knot Intermediate | Pine Knot | Elementary | 03-05 | 352 | · |
Cities in McCreary County
About McCreary County
McCreary County is a small county of about 16,867 residents in Kentucky. Its public-school system serves approximately 2,668 students across 5 schools.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $33,750 a year, roughly 9% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 33%. That income level is 41% below the Kentucky median.
On the level-by-level breakdown, McCreary County is built around 3 elementary schools (1,324 students), 1 middle school (633), and 1 high school (711).
McCreary County Public Schools is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 2,668 students across McCreary County.
Over the past 4-year window. Total public-school enrollment in McCreary County has stayed largely flat since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,729 students to 2,668. McCreary County now counts 5 public schools, up from 4 in SY 2020-21.
In the discussion threads here, the community for McCreary County discusses school events, board meetings, and seasonal calendars. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data