Grayson County schools participate in the “Effective Schools” program, with emphasis on the learning ability of all students. District schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and operate on a year-round schedule with periodic vacations. Our schools have Site Based Decision Making Councils (SBDM) to plan and implement long-range planning and strategies to continually improve our schools.

Our schools offer a variety of programs including Title I math and reading programs, special education, health and psychological programs, homebound student instruction, and gifted/talented student enrichment programs. Athletic, musical and other extracurricular activities are offered as well.

The Grayson County School District’s new Primary Program serves children in grades K-3 with individualized instruction allowing them to learn and grow according to ability. Caneyville Elementary School (270-879-4211), at P.O. Box 39, E. Maple, Caneyville, has an enrollment of 419 while Clarkson Elementary School (270-242-3061), at 301 E. Main St., P.O. Box 39, Clarkson, has an enrollment of 595. H.W. Wilkey Elementary School (270-259-4058), at 201 Wallace Ave., Leitchfield, has 515 students and Lawler Elementary School (270-259-9322), at 100 High School Road, Leitchfield, has an enrollment of 414.

The Middle School Program, with enrollment of 940, is specially designed to help students in the transition from elementary to high school classes and the new Grayson County Middle School (270-259-4175) opened at 726 John Hill Taylor Drive in Leitchfield in the fall of 1996.

Grayson County High School (270-259-4078), at 240 High School Road, Leitchfield, offers regular and advanced placement courses in core subjects, foreign languages, the fine arts, and vocational education. Current enrollment is 1,250 and a building addition was just completed. Students can also earn career experience while attending high school through the Kentucky Tech Prep program offered as a two or four-year program by the high school, Elizabethtown Community College, Elizabethtown State Vo-Tech School, and Kentucky Advanced Technology Center.

The “Shadowing” project offers students a close look at business operations while the Cooperative Education Program gives on-the-job training. The Grayson County Area Vocational School (270-259-3195) is located at 120 High School Road in Leitchfield. Grayson County school statistics compare favorably with statewide averages. The pupil to teacher ratio is 18 to 1 for the county’s 4,200 students and the district’s per student operating cost is over $3000. Our average ACT score is 21 and 59 percent of our high school students attend college. Our teachers are extensively trained presenting basic lessons with the use of innovative techniques. Our Board of Education is also a major employer for the county with about 500 staff. Breckinridge-Grayson Inc., more commonly known as the Parent-Child Center, serves 227 children ages infant to five. The center, located at 201 E. Walnut St., Leitchfield, offers an early child development program emphasizing parental involvement and a good educational experience for children.

The head start type program has income eligibility guidelines and is accredited with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The center is open weekdays with extended hours.

Grayson County is also home to two fine private schools. St. Paul Catholic Elementary School (270-242-7483) at 1812 St. Paul Road, has an enrollment of 34 in grades K-8 and is fully accredited by the Kentucky Non-Public Schools Commission and the Kentucky Department of Education. St. Paul’s mission is to work in cooperation with families and parishes to provide religious and academic education to prepare students to become responsible members of family, church and community.

Leitchfield Christian Academy (270-230-1200), at 119 N. Main, Leitchfield, is a ministry of the First Baptist Church of Leitchfield. The academy was established in 1998 to prepare young minds for the future and young hearts for Jesus. The school uses the Beka Book Curriculum and individualized instruction includes typical subjects and Bible class. Enrollment is 25 in grades 1-2 with plans for adding 1-2 more grade levels each year to eventually encompass grades K-8 and perhaps high school. Tuition arrangements are available.