Panther Academy

Located at 634 N. Mulberry St., in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Panther Academy is a tight-knit elementary school that serves 222 students (grades pre-K through K), part of Elizabethtown Independent. By comparison, Kentucky's public schools average about 421 students each, so Panther Academy sits 47% leaner than that benchmark.

Within Elizabethtown Independent, which oversees 7 schools and 2,454 students, Panther Academy is one campus in the system.

On the student-mix side, Panther Academy lists that White students make up the majority at 60%. Other groups include 19% multiracial, 9% Hispanic, 8% Black, 3% Asian. The wider county runs roughly 76% White, putting the school's mix noticeably less White than the area baseline.

Looking at the economic backdrop, On paper, Panther Academy has 15 full-time-equivalent teachers, translating to a class-load average of around 14.7:1. The state averages about 15.4:1, putting this campus right in line with peers. About 52% of enrolled students meet the income threshold for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

In the surrounding community, census data for Hardin County shows the typical household earns roughly $67,647 per year, 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 10%. In all, Hardin County runs 34 public schools (combined enrollment of about 17,037 students), of which Panther Academy is one.

The closest other public school is Elizabethtown High School, roughly 0.1 miles away. Within five miles, there are 8 other public schools.

The campus sits in an urban setting.

Five-year trend. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at Panther Academy has edged up 3%, going from 215 students in 2018 to 222 in 2025. Black enrollment moved from 14% to 8% across the same window. The student-to-teacher ratio fell from 16.4:1 in 2018 to 14.7:1 today.

On the community side, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.