The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 40% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Roy G. Eversole Elementary School
Roy G. Eversole Elementary School is a regular public school serving pre-kindergarten through fourth grade in Hazard, Kentucky, part of the city’s independent school district that runs one elementary, one middle, and one high school. It sits on Broadway in Hazard, the county seat of Perry County and a historic coal mining hub that now combines a traditional downtown, a regional industrial park, and a community college presence. The student body is predominantly white, with smaller shares of Black and Hispanic students. A substantial portion of families qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of the economic challenges that have long shaped this southeastern Kentucky region.
The school’s academic results from the 2024–25 Kentucky Summative Assessment offer a mixed but largely positive picture for its early elementary grades. In English language arts, a majority of third and fourth graders met or exceeded the state’s proficiency standards. Science results for fourth graders were similarly solid. Math performance was softer, with a somewhat lower share of students reaching proficiency, particularly in fourth grade. When combined across all tested subjects and grades, the school’s overall proficiency index placed it above the midpoint among the two districts in Perry County—a favorable comparison that suggests this elementary is performing relatively well in the local context.
As a PK–4 school, there is no graduation rate to consider. Multi-year trend data was not available, so it is not possible to assess whether test results are improving or declining. Information on special education enrollment, English learner services, staffing ratios, attendance, and discipline was also not reported. Families who want a fuller picture of class size, intervention programs, or enrichment opportunities will need to speak directly with the school.
The community context matters here. Hazard has seen a rapid increase in population in recent years after decades of decline, but the devastating 2022 Appalachian floods caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure and housing, and the 2024 population estimate suggests a reversal. Recovery and rebuilding are the dominant reality. Home values in Hazard are well below state and national averages, making housing relatively affordable. The city retains civic anchors such as the Perry County Public Library, the Black Gold Festival, and Hazard Community and Technical College, and it offers outdoor recreation access through the Daniel Boone National Forest. The school district itself has not reported any major recent changes publicly.
This school fits a family seeking a relatively small elementary setting in a tight-knit, historically rooted community where housing costs are low and the pace is unhurried. Reading and science appear to be areas of relative strength, while math may need extra attention at home or through supplemental support. The lack of published data on staffing and special programs means a proactive visit or direct conversation with school leadership is advisable. For families already connected to Hazard or considering relocation to this region, Roy G. Eversole Elementary represents the local elementary anchor within a district that serves the city from early childhood through high school graduation.
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