The top reported proficiency rate is 45% in English language arts. The lowest is 34% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Charles Russell Elementary School
Charles Russell Elementary School is a regular public elementary school serving kindergarten through fifth grade in Ashland, Kentucky, and is part of the Ashland Independent School District. The school sits in a mid-sized Ohio River city that was historically an industrial and steel town and has since shifted toward healthcare and services as its major economic base. Housing in the area is relatively affordable compared to state and national levels.
On the Kentucky Summative Assessment from the 2024-25 school year, results across grades three through five show a mixed picture. In mathematics, proficiency rates in third and fifth grades were close to half test takers, while fourth grade was lower. In English language arts, performance climbed across the grades: just over a third of third graders scored proficient or above, just under half of fourth graders did, and more than half of fifth graders reached that bar. In fourth-grade science, about a third of students were proficient, and in fifth-grade social studies, slightly less than two-fifths were. Overall, the school’s combined proficiency across all tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile relative to other districts in Boyd County, a signal that student performance here is on the stronger side among local peers.
The student body is overwhelmingly white, with small shares identifying as Black, Hispanic, or two or more races. About half of students are girls and half boys, though exact counts are not provided. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating that many families face economic challenges. Data on special education identification and English learner status were not available, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the supports offered for students with individualized education plans or those learning English.
Because Charles Russell is an elementary school, there is no graduation rate to report, and state testing data only covers the grades it serves. No information was available on chronic absenteeism, discipline rates, staffing ratios, or course access, so a reader should look to the district for a fuller picture on those fronts. The school does not appear to have magnet or charter status, and its Title I status was not reported in the data provided.
Ashland itself is a city with a downtown core anchored by cultural venues like the Paramount Arts Center and Central Park. Its largest employer is the UK King’s Daughters hospital, acquired by the University of Kentucky in 2022. Population has declined slightly in recent years, and the closure of a major steel plant marked a significant economic shift. The district brief for Ashland Independent turned up little in the way of recent curriculum changes, property-tax measures, or new programs, so families may want to check the district website or attend a school board meeting to learn about current priorities.
For a family considering Charles Russell, the school offers a regular elementary program in a community that values the arts and has a traditional grid-street downtown with bus service and an Amtrak station. Academically, it is performing at a level that is competitive within the county, with some grades and subjects showing stronger results than others. The combination of moderate test scores across most subjects and a high proportion of students from lower-income households suggests a school that serves a diverse range of needs, though more detailed information about student support services and enrichment offerings would help round out the picture.
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