Education

Murray and Calloway County are founded on quality education. Our two public school systems, Murray Independent Schools and Calloway County Schools, have a rich tradition of being at or near the top among all systems in the State with consistently high scoring on national achievement tests.

In addition to these outstanding schools systems, we are proudly home to Murray State University which is named by Kiplinger, U.S. News and World Report and others as one of America’s Best Universities. With programs ranging from engineering to business and the arts, Murray State is truly a “Hidden Treasure.”

Higher Education

For students and adults seeking to further their education, Murray is both home to Murray State University and in close proximity to West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Our unique combination of technical training, two year degrees and easy transfer of dual credit programs, allows students and adults everything from technical certifications to a Doctorate Degree.


Murray State University has six colleges offering over 125 academic programs in Science Engineering and Technology, Agriculture, Healthcare, Business, Education and the Humanities and Arts. With a total enrollment of roughly 10,000, MSU is large enough to offer excellent programs and small enough to engage each student for success. Current rankings show that MSU is an incredible place to further your education.

In addition to the traditional role of education, MSU regularly partners with local and regional business to provide internships, faculty consulting and employee recruitment.


West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) is a public two-year degree granting institution where you will find innovative programs ranging from computerized manufacturing to healthcare. WKTCT has an outstanding reputation for being affordable, flexible and with a track record that helps students and industry to succeed and prosper.

K-12 Education


Murray Independent Schools

The Murray Independent School System proudly proclaims “a tradition of excellence,” extending back over a hundred years. The school district has been recognized repeatedly for academic excellence and for its positive learning environment.

With only three schools, the Murray school system is a small one, a fact which contributes immeasurably to the education it is able to provide. It also benefits from its location in an education-minded community that has always been supportive of its schools.

  • Recipient of the national “What Parents Want” Award each year since 1996. Only sixteen percent of the nation’s 15,571 public school districts have been recognized for meeting the needs of families choosing schools.
  • 37 National Merit Finalists awarded since 1974.
  • The Murray Independent School District continued its tradition of excellence scoring in the top, ranking third in the state in the 99th state percentile in the 2014 state assessment results.
  • High school ACT scores continually rank in the top 10 in the state.
  • Only one of 18 districts in the State recognized as an “Outperforming School District” by Standard & Poor’s, the world’s foremost provider of statistical analysis.
  • Recognized as a Kentucky District of Distinction in 2012, 2013, and 2014. The award which began in 2012 was given to the districts in the state of Kentucky who had an overall accountability score at the 95th percentile or higher.
  • Selected as national 3rd-place finalist in ACT’s 2013 College and Career Readiness Campaign.
  • Each year more than 35,000 volunteer hours are contributed by community members to our schools.

Calloway County Schools

Located in western Kentucky, Calloway County Schools provide excellent opportunities for our students to pursue a variety of academic and extracurricular activities designed to prepare them for the 21st Century. Beginning with a full day kindergarten program, the three elementary schools (K-5), middle school (6-8), and high school (9-12) offer high quality curriculum designed to challenge every student from the gifted/talented to special needs learner. Each school features instruction in art and music, a library/media center, and a gymnasium for physical education. Calloway County Schools also offer over 30 extracurricular academic and athletic programs. The District has roughly 500 full-time employees and serves around 3,200 students in preschool through high school. The annual budget is approximately 30 million dollars a year.

PO Box 1476
926 North 16th Street, Suite 110
Murray, KY 42071
 270-762-3789     270-752-7521
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