The bulletin board for America's public schools. Parents, teachers, students, and staff. One community per school.

Powell County

Kentucky · Public K-12

Public-school families in Powell County pick from 6 schools serving the county's roughly 2,031 K-12 students, with a mix of 3 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high.

7-year change in Powell County

SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25
Total enrollment
2,031
-346 (-15%) vs SY 2017-18
School count
6
0 (0%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
95%
was 96%
% Hispanic
3%
was 2%
% Black
1%
was 1%
% Asian
0%
was 0%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
6
1 districts
Enrollment
2,031
NCES CCD
Median income
$40,309
Below Kentucky avg
Free/reduced lunch
67.9%
Above Kentucky avg
Elementary
3
978 students
Middle
1
418 students
High
2
635 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
Powell County Public Schools
2,031 students · 1 district in Powell County

County vs. school enrollment demographics

Left bar is the racial makeup of Powell 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
White
95%
Hispanic
2%
Black
2%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
School enrollment
White
95%
Hispanic
2%
Black
1%
Asian
0%
Two or more
2%
Native American
0%
Pacific Islander
0%
Bachelor's+
13.8%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
18.8%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.8%
civilian labor
Median age
39
24.8% under 18

Test scores in Powell County

Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 5 schools ranked. Kentucky state average: 48.4%.

See all 5 schools in Powell County ranked by score →

All schools (6)

NameCityLevelGradesEnrollmentRating
Powell County High SchoolStantonHigh09-12580·
Clay City Elementary SchoolClay CityElementaryPK-05425·
Powell County Middle SchoolStantonMiddle06-08418·
Stanton Elementary SchoolStantonElementaryPK-05322·
Bowen Elementary SchoolStantonElementaryPK-05231·
Powell County AcademyStantonHigh06-1255·

Cities in Powell County

Stanton5 schoolsClay City1 school

About Powell County

Powell County is a thinly populated county of about 13,038 residents in Kentucky. Its public-school system enrolls approximately 2,031 students across 6 schools.

Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show the median household earns about $40,309 a year, 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate is around 19%. That income level is 29% below the Kentucky median.

In terms of grade levels, Powell County spans 3 elementary schools (978 students), 1 middle school (418), and 2 high schools (635).

The largest single district in Powell County is Powell County Public Schools, which alone enrolls about 2,031 students.

Looking at the last 7 years. Combined enrollment now sits at 2,031 students, decreased 15% from the 2,377 reported in SY 2017-18.

On allk12, the community for Powell County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.

Frequently asked questions

How many K-12 schools serve Powell County?
There are 6 public K-12 schools in Powell County, Kentucky, with a combined enrollment of about 2,031.
How many high schools are in Powell County?
Powell County, Kentucky has 2 public high schools, serving approximately 635 students.
How many middle schools are in Powell County?
Powell County, Kentucky has 1 public middle school, serving approximately 418 students.
How many elementary schools are in Powell County?
Powell County, Kentucky has 3 public elementary schools, serving approximately 978 students.
What is the largest school district in Powell County?
Powell County Public Schools is the largest school district in Powell County, serving approximately 2,031 students. The county contains 1 school district overall.
How many people live in Powell County?
Powell County has roughly 13,038 residents according to the latest Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What is the median household income in Powell County?
Median household income in Powell County is $40,309, below the Kentucky average of $56,863. About 18.8% of residents live below the federal poverty line.
How educated are residents of Powell County?
Approximately 13.8% of adults 25 and older in Powell County hold a bachelor's degree or higher, according to the Census ACS 5-year estimate.
What share of students in Powell County qualify for free or reduced lunch?
Roughly 67.9% of students in Powell County public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a common proxy for low-income enrollment. This is higher than the Kentucky county average of 62.1%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Powell County schools?
Across Powell County public schools, the enrollment-weighted student-teacher ratio is approximately 15.5 to 1.
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data