by Tony Fyffe

One school in the Big Sandy region had Kentucky's state highest rate of graduates who attended college, according to a report released last week.

A feedback report issued by the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics (KCEWS) shows that Paintsville High School's college-going rate of 90.9 percent was second only to Brown School of Jefferson County, which has a rate of 91.1 percent. The state rate was 61.2 percent.

The report says Paintsville had 55 graduates in 2012 and that 70.9 percent were ready for college and 25.5 percent were ready for a career.

Of the Paintsville graduates, 87.3 percent attended an in-state college or university while 5.5 percent attended a college or university outside of Kentucky.

Paintsville school superintendent Coy Samons said he was pleased with Paintsville's statewide showing.

"Our focus on a modern curriculum with a traditional approach begins in elementary school and is reinforced by the middle and high school teachers and staff," Samons said.

"Paintsville High School is also pleased to report 100% of the Class of 2015 have been accepted to at least one college for this Fall. College and Career Readiness has always been a focus of Paintsville Independent because we realize the primary role of our district is to prepare students for the next phase of life. Despite the continued loss of state and federal funding, this study shows that Paintsville Independent continues to provide one the best K-12 educational experiences possible for students in the state."

Paintsville's rate was the highest in the Big Sandy region, where Prestonsburg High School came in a distant second at 72.2 percent.

Prestonsburg had 133 graduates in 2012, with 34.8 percent being ready for college and 2.3 percent ready for a career.

Of the Prestonsburg graduates, 71.4 percent attended a college or university in Kentucky and 1.5 percent attended an out-of-state institution.

South Floyd High School, also in Floyd County, had the third highest rate in the region at 61.9 percent. Ninety-seven seniors graduated from SFHS in 2012, with 22. 9 percent ready for college and 1 percent ready for a career.

Of the SFHS graduates, 60.8 percent attended a Kentucky college or university and 1 percent attended an institution outside of the state.

Other college going rates in the Big Sandy region were 60.2 percent at Johnson Central, 59.8 percent at Lawrence County, 58.3 percent at Allen Central, 54 percent at Sheldon Clark and 53.9 percent at Betsy Layne.

The report includes feedback on recent graduates from Kentucky's public high schools about their transition to college and success in their first year of college.

Kate Akers, KCEWS acting director said the report shows that "college-going rates throughout Kentucky are holding steady with about six of 10 of the state's public high school Class of 2012 enrolled in college, and that more students are entering school better prepared for college-level classes and careers.