(Harlan, Ky.) – For nearly two decades, Harlan High School has consistently earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of Kentucky’s top public high schools. This year, the tradition of excellence continues as Harlan High School secured the No. 14 ranking in Kentucky, placing the small Eastern Kentucky school among the top 5% of high schools statewide and the top 9% nationwide.
The report ranks the 280 Kentucky high schools and nearly 18,000 schools nationwide using a weighted scale based on six key indicators: College Readiness, State Assessment Proficiency, State Assessment Performance, Underserved Student Performance, College Curriculum Breadth, and Graduation Rate.
Harlan High School’s strong performance across these measures continue to distinguish the school and secure its place among the top-performing high schools in both Kentucky and the nation.
Emphasizing the importance of ensuring success for every student, Superintendent Jennifer Parsons acknowledged both the opportunities and challenges that come with being a small school district. “From Preschool through High School, our focus is on providing a rigorous curriculum while surrounding students with the resources, encouragement, and support necessary to reach their full potential. Our schools go beyond simply offering a menu of courses and programs; we work intentionally to meet the individual needs of every student. Every parent deserves the confidence of knowing their child has access to a high-quality education, regardless of their circumstances. Being a small district presents unique challenges, as there is often little margin for error. With smaller student populations, the performance of just a few students can significantly affect assessments results and graduation rates. However, it also allows us to know our students, respond to their needs, and remain focused on their success. Ultimately, we believe our results speak for themselves.”
Principal Mike Bolton stated, “At Harlan High School, we are committed to creating a supportive and rigorous learning environment that challenges students to reach their full potential and prepares them for future success in college, careers and beyond. When you receive a recognition of this magnitude it reflects the hard work and dedication of our staff, and entire school community.”
As Harlan High School celebrates this outstanding achievement, the school remains committed to providing students with opportunities, support, and experiences they need to reach their full potential. This recognition not only reflects the school’s continued tradition of academic excellence, but also reinforces its commitment to preparing students to become successful graduates who are ready to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
To find out more about the selection and methodology you may visit: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/articles/how-us-news-calculated-the-rankings