- Pine Knot Primary — 2.1 mi · Grades PK–2 · 425 students
- Pine Knot Intermediate — 2.3 mi · Grades 3–5 · 352 students
- McCreary County Middle School — 4.0 mi · Grades 6–8 · 633 students
- McCreary Central High School — 4.1 mi · Grades 9–12 · 711 students
- Whitley City Elementary School — 7.2 mi · Grades PK–5 · 547 students
| Metric | McCreary County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 2,715 | 3,544 | ↓ Smaller than avg |
| Number of Schools | 4 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $14,190/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 19% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 6/10 — Average | — | Near average |
| District | Rating | Percentile | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCreary County School District (this district) | 6/10 | 50th | 2,715 |
| Whitley County School District | 10/10 | 92nd | 4,336 |
| Pulaski County School District | 9/10 | 89th | 8,115 |
| Knox County School District | 8/10 | 73rd | 3,943 |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 166 rated districts in KY → 50th percentile → 6/10.
Source: Kentucky Dept. of Education Kentucky Summative Assessment, grades 3–8 Reading & Math, Proficient or Distinguished, 2024–25 school year (enrollment-weighted across grades). Full methodology →
About McCreary County School District
McCreary County School District serves zip code 42635, covering Pine Knot, Kentucky with grades Pre-K–12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 6/10 Rating
With a rating of 6/10 (average), McCreary County School District ranks among Kentucky’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Kentucky’s Summative Assessment grades 3–8 Reading & Math (2024–25 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Kentucky is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
McCreary County School District falls near the middle of Kentucky on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 42635
Children in zip code 42635 are assigned to McCreary County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K–12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 42635, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact McCreary County School District at the number listed on the district website or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Kentucky districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Pine Knot
For families considering a purchase in the Pine Knot area, district assignment matters financially. Because McCreary County School District serves zip code 42635, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 42635. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Kentucky, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support McCreary County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 42635.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with McCreary County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 42635 data.