Harlan County High School

(606)574-2020

945 Students

High School 9th - 12th

School Overview

Harlan County High School (HCHS), located in Baxter, Kentucky, serves as the primary secondary education hub for the Harlan County School District. Opened in 2008 following the consolidation of several smaller local high schools, the institution was designed to provide students with expanded academic, technological, and extracurricular opportunities. The school campus is known for its modern facilities, which include state-of-the-art athletic fields, a comprehensive media center, and specialized classrooms intended to support a diverse curriculum ranging from core academics to career and technical education (CTE) pathways.

Beyond its academic offerings, Harlan County High School plays a central role in the local community’s spirit and identity. The school is home to the "Black Bears," and it maintains a strong emphasis on athletics, performing arts, and student leadership organizations. By consolidating resources from across the county, HCHS aims to prepare its students for both higher education and the modern workforce, fostering a sense of unity among the students and families of the Harlan County region.

945

Total Students

68.3

Full-Time Teachers

13.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

81.2%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Harlan County High School
Demographic	Student Count
White	889
Hispanic	20
Black	22
Asian	1
Two or More	12
American Indian	1

White
889 (94.1%)
Black
22 (2.3%)
Hispanic
20 (2.1%)
Two or More
12 (1.3%)
Asian
1 (0.1%)
American Indian
1 (0.1%)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	High School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	Supplemental Virtual
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	Harlan County
Phone:	(606)574-2020
Grade Range:	9th - 12th
Total Students:	945
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	68.3
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	758
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	9

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 9 263

Grade 10 225

Grade 11 251

Grade 12 205

Ungraded 1