Lee County

The Lee County school district in Kentucky consists of two schools: Lee County Middle High School and Lee County Elementary School. Both schools are performing significantly below the state average on various academic metrics, with declining statewide rankings and low proficiency rates in core subjects.

Lee County Middle High School has seen a concerning drop in its statewide ranking, falling from 126th out of 271 Kentucky high schools in 2021-2022 to 205th out of 290 in 2023-2024. Similarly, Lee County Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Kentucky elementary schools, ranking 530th out of 685 in 2023-2024. Both schools perform significantly below the state average on standardized tests, with only 20% of 11th-grade students at the middle high school proficient or better in ACT Mathematics, compared to the state average of 30%, and only 21% of 5th-grade students at the elementary school proficient or better in KSA Reading, compared to the state average of 46%.

Despite the high spending per student at both schools, which is relatively high at $12,009 for the middle high school and $11,330 for the elementary school, the academic performance remains a concern. The schools also serve a predominantly low-income population, with 84.41% of students at the elementary school and 78.38% of students at the middle high school eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Addressing the underlying factors contributing to these challenges, such as the high poverty levels and declining school rankings, will be crucial for improving educational outcomes for students in the Lee County region.