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Augusta High School
207 Bracken St, Augusta, KY, 41002-2106 -  Map
tel: (606)756-2105
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School Overview:
Definition of Terms Augusta High School
School Level High school
Grades Offered Grades 7 - 12
County Bracken County, KY
Students & Faculty
Total Students 130 students
% Male / % Female 51%  /  49%
Total Classroom Teachers 9 teachers
Students by Grade
Grade 7 - 24 students
Grade 8 - 18 students
Grade 9 - 23 students
Grade 10 - 25 students
Grade 11 - 18 students
Grade 12 - 22 students
This School ( KY ) School Average
Teacher : Student Ratio 1:14 1:15
Students by Ethnicity
This School ( KY ) School Average
% American Indian n/a n/a
% Asian n/a 1%
% Hispanic n/a 2%
% Black 2% 10%
% White 98% 87%
Additional Student Information
This School ( KY ) School Average
% Eligible for Free Lunch n/a 49%
% Eligible for Reduced Lunch n/a 8%
% Migrant Students Enrolled n/a n/a
School Performance:
( KY ) Statewide Testing Performance
School Statewide Performance View Education Department Test Scores
School District:
School District Name Augusta Independent School District
This School's Agency ( KY ) District Average
Number of Schools Managed 1 6
Number of Students Managed 422 students 2,333 students
District Total Revenue $2,750,000 $19,338,000
District Expenditure $3,159,000 $20,060,000
District Revenue / Student $6,517 $7,295
District Expenditure / Student $7,486 $7,098
District Graduation Rates n/a 91%
School Notes:
  • Augusta High School is part of the Augusta Independent Schools school district in Bracken County Kentucky which was founded in 1887. The school is one of the smallest high schools in the state with all grades PreK-12 in one building.
  • The Closure of the College, the Fire 1896-1905: The articles of Agreement between the Bracken Academy Board of Trustees and the Trustees of the Free School of the Augusta District were made and were finally accepted July 8,1887. L.S. Bradford and J.P. Reese acted for the Academy Board and C.C. Coburn, James Purnell, and Alex Reese for the Free School. Early in 1888 an attempt was made to repoen a private school but this quickly failed to materialize.
  • A joint meeting was soon held by the two Boards and Professor Isaiah Trufant was employed as the principal to operate the free school. At the same time the professor, with the sanction of the Trustees appointed five teachers to assist Trufant to operate a school. This school soon opended in the fall of 1889. The harmony between the two boards was soon shattered. On May 17, 1890 the Trustees of the College met in regular session and in addition to billing the Free School for the rent due, asked for possession of the property at the termination of the soon to expire lease. At the same time the officers of the Free School posted election notices in the school buildings. The Kentucky law stated that such in such an election must have notices posted on the premises of the new termed Public School. The Trustees of the Academy held this as illegal and dirext violation of their property rights as landlords of the College grounds. The Legislature of Kentucky passes an Act on February 27, 1890, thus repealing the Act of 1798 so far as it applied to the Bracken Academy, and that the funds, buildings, and all personal property, belonging to and held by the Trustees of the Bracken Academy, be invested in the Trustees of the Free Common School (District #2) in Bracken County, Augusta, Kentucky, was to be held and used them for the Free Common School (District #2) purposes.
  • Struggle between School Boards: Over the next several years many communications passed back and forth between the groups of Trustees. Legal advice was sought and procured by the respective Boards and finally, on April 10, 1894, the Kentucky Court of Appeals in an opinion delivered by Judge Pyror ruled the Act of May 1890 was clearly unconstitutional. Despite this litigation, the Public School had been operating in the college builing and had been in session there since opening in 1887. The Augusta Free School (District #2) was operating under the jurisdiction of a Board of Trustees elected by the voting citizens of the roughly established district. The chairman of the Board at the time was P.B. Powers and G.H. McKibben was the secretary. At the same period the Academy Trustees were represented at most meetings by a committee consisting of J.P. Reese, W.B. Allen, L.P. Knoedler, and John S. Orr. The Free School party was acting under the Acot of the Kentucky Legislature granting them the property of the Old College. The Academy Trustees were being supported by a writing of the Bracken Circuit Court holding that the "Free School" were only tenants of the property and the Academy folk were still the legitimate landlords.
  • The School Board, after gaining the college grounds, had the building razed to the ground. The new building was built and completed October 1896. This building, which housed Grades 1-12, was one of the most inpressive in the state. The building had donations made to have a bell in the clock tower, which would not be completed until the school had burned in 1899.
  • In December 1899, the students were complaining of the heat all day, and after school had began the teachers had the windows raised to let the heat out. A student saw what appeared to be a small blaze coming from the floor and called a teacher to it. The teacher dismissed them and told them not to make an out cry. The students in the building were promptly dismissed and went outside. The fire progressed rapidly. The windows exploded and many students saw what a spectacular event it was. The building burned with all but the outer walls holding the shell up. The building was quickly rebuilt, by 1900 and the funds for the bell were gained. The bell was donated by the Belle of Louisville, but originally had been inteded to be the from the Ship Pittsburg. This would become ironic after the school burned that the Pittsburgh would burn just south of Louisville and sink to the bottom. Bell and all.
  • J.R. Sterrett, T. Stanford Williams, John Ryan, & A.J. Jolly 1905-1916: In 1899 Professor E.A. Scott was elected superintendent for one school year. He was assisted by one high school teacher and four elementary teachers under the close supervision of the Trustees, who were to operate a school for regular session. The salary of the superintendent was to be $85 a month, principal and high school teacher $45, middle and upper grade $30, and primary $35. At this time there were twelve applicants for the position of janitor. The salary of janitor was fixed at $20 a month for eight months. The contract also called for winding the clock and caring for the building and grounds when school was not in session without additional compensation. This same year the coal bid for the school was let to George Bengal to furnish all that was needed of the same at eight snets per bushel. The total tax levy for this same period was ample, at seventy-five cents on each $100 valuation.
  • For the school year (1900-01), J.R. Sterrett was elected superintendent from six applicants. The salary remained at $85 a month, and the other salaries also remained at the same. The total receipts for this year amounted to $3995.41. In addition to the property tax of seventy-five cents, a railroad franchise of 3.65 miles furnished $510.13 and each school patron was charged $1.00. The school census for the year totaled 575. The school flourished under the leadership of Professor Sterrett until he resigned in 1909 to accept a better paying position. His last act was the raising of $40.00 to equip a gymnasium room to be used on school days from 4-5:00 PM Monday-Friday and 8:30-10:30 AM Saturdays.
  • Superintendent T. Sanford Williams was elected to succeed the popular Sterrett on June 18, 1909 for a term of four years. At this time the school offered two separate courses of preparation upon the insistence of Superintendent Williams, the Board of Education adopted, a regulation that made a difference in the diplomas offered for the completion of the Classical and English couches. Professor Williams operated successfully despite the fact that the tax levy was lowered to sixty cents with only twenty-five cents of the same to be used to defray the expense of a nine month school term and the remaining thirty-five cents to pay off a bonded indebtedness and interest. The proceedings in 1909 indicate the action taken by the Board of Education at the Suddetion of the Superintendent that,"no pupil using a Key to any of his studies will be promoted in said study and shall not be allowed to graduate from this school." In 1912 during the last year of William's Superintendency he passed three items.
  • 1. All non-resident tuition must be collected monthly and one month in advance.
  • 2. The Superintendent is directed to purchase text books for any worthy indigent pupils.
  • 3. The bill for electricity for the month in the amount allowed $1.36
  • Even though the salary for Superintendent was raised to $100 a month, little difficulty was encountered when Superintendent-elect T.E. Utterbach returned an unsigned contract. This position was soon offered to John Ryan, a resident of Murray, Kentucky. Ryan accepted the position in June (1913) but resigned a month later, before school had opened. A.J. Jolly was elected and accepted the position, with a salary at $1,200 for twelve months. With this large of a pay, the school system had an anticipated revenue of $7,000. This year's, 1913, levy was sixty-five cents, with thirty-five cents for the same for the general operating expenses of a nine month term. The salary of the teachers ranged from $35, in the elementary, to $75, in the high school. The price of coal soon rose to 9.75 a bushel, with laborers demanding $.25 an hour, and good heavy brooms at $2.00 a dozen.
  • The teachers did not hold any membership in any active educational association at this time, but they were allowed one day holiday from the classroom to visit and observe in another school in the area. The teachers often took advantage of this opportunity and visited the schools of Cincinnati, Ohio and Lexington, Kentucky.
  • Early Public Relations during Jolly's and Norris' terms: In the spring of 1916 the school board purchased sixty copies of the Augusta High School Annual at forty cents a copy. These Annuals were to be used for advertising purposes by James Norris to assist him as he canvassed the county, to recruit pupils for the school, for one month. Norris, a graduate of Augusta High School, was, at this time employed as a teacher. His extra compensation for this month of promotion work was $90.
  • James Norris, Ernest Gibson 1916-1922: In the fall of 1916 Norris was elected as superintendent to replace Jolly who had left for another school system. Norris would serve the position until the spring of 1918 when he entered the United States Marine Corps to serve the country during World War I. Norris did not return to school work after the war but on two occasions did deliver his adress to the graduates at the annual commencement exercises.
  • During Norris' first year as superintendent, a bulletin was published for the information of the patrons of the school. The publication urged for cooperation between parents and teachers and especially insisted that the pupils be directed to do their homeowrk. The time necessary for the home study would depend on the grade of the pupil, beginning with the thrid grade where one hour of homework would be necessary. This time would increase with the grade and in high school they would require at least three hours of homeowrk. The same bulletin insisted that all social affaris be scheduled on Friday or Saturday evenings.
  • Ernest W. Gibson succeeded Professor Norris in 1918 and was in charge of the Augusta Graded School system until 1922. During this time T.L. McFarland was employed as principal. During this time Gibson carried on Norris' ideas and they were strictly enforced until he left in 1922.
  • Expansion, The one year reign of Aubery Riddle 1922-1926: After Gibson had left the school system in 1922, P.J. Arnold was offered the contract of Superintendent, with the annual salary at $1,800. From time to time a building program had been suggested but had been turned down when put to a vote of the taxpayers. Now after a few years with a decided increase in school enrollment the need for a voted bond issue was again placed before the citizens of Augusta. On February 21, 1923, at a duly appointed election, 422 votes were cast in favor of the bonds and only 18 were against the proposition. The outstanding bonded indebtedness at the time of the voting was $2,000. The asses valuation of the taxable property in the district for the year of 1922 was $1,364,222.23. According to the law and as a result of the election the sum of $24,000 in bonds was offered for sale. The bonds dated July 1, 1924 to bear interest at the rate of fiver percent per annum, payable semi-annually. The $500 bonds to become due and payable over a period of thirty years. The school levy for the year 1924 was fixed as follows, for general school purposes $.83 1/2, for retiring old bonds $.05 cents, and $.11 1/2 cents for sinking fun and payment of interest and retiring of new bonds as same came due.
  • The first active Parent Teacher Association (P.T.A.) was organized in 1923 and appeared soon after in a body before the school board requesting permission to make some needed repairs and additions to the school facilities. the board granted their requests and the improvements were made witht he new organization bearing the eintire expense. Another progressice step inauguarated by the P.T.A. was a medical examination of all elementary pupils. The followup and corrections of defects found was well carried through by the teachers and parents. The physical development of the pupils quickly became one of the foremeost interests of the organization and through its efforts the recreation program of the school was greatly expanded. The school at this time had no gymnasium and the indoor athletic contests were held in Russell Hall, a privately owned building in town. The dire need of a gymnasium was brough to the attnetion of the people and in only a few years a modern building was constructed as part of the school plant to take care of this need.
  • On June 1, 1925 Professor R.H. Shipp was elected as superintendent of the Augusta graded School with a slary of $175 per calender month, Aubrey Riddle signed the principal's contract at $140 a month. The elementary techers at this period received form $60-$80 and the teachers in high school scaled up to $110 per month.
  • Riddle resigned in March of 1926 and was followed as Principal by C.A. Long, who finished the school year and was highly successful enough to be chosen as Superintendent when Shipp was not a candidate for reelection. Long signed for $2,100 the highest salary paid by any superintendent up to this time.
  • A few weeks before the end of the school term (May 3, 1926) a Building Committee for the gumnasium was approved by the Board of Education and met with them to discuss the proposed building. The sum of $20,000 was agreed upon as the maximum capital outlay for the structure, the Board would deed the site to the Building Association and pay $6,000 at once and $4,000 after January 1, 1927. To defray this additional expedenture the tax rate was changed to $1.10 per $100 valuation, $.83 1/2 cents for the general operation costs and, $.26 1/2 cents to be placed on time deposit to be used solely as a sinking fund to be used to pay the interest as it became due and to retire the bonds on scheduled time.
  • The work on the gymnasium progreesed rapidly and the building was dedicated with the apporpriate ceremony on December 15, 1926. The completeion of a fine gymnasium, with a seating capacity of 2,500, made the community more intereseted in basketball.
  • Change of School Organization: One of the first changes introduced by Harrod was to change the organization of the Augusta School to a six-six basis with the upper six grades as an undivided Junior-Senior High School. This change in policy was accepted and placed in operation with the beginning of the 1941-42 school year. Another feature introduced at this time was a means of transportation to favor school pupils located in remote sections of the district. A bus was purchased that transported thirty pupils a day. This included a number of elementary pupils who attended Saint Augustine Elementary School. Harrod was also intrumental in having adopted a single slary schedule for the teachers. This schedule placed the salary of $75 a month for all teachers regardless of grade taught. Increments of $2 per month for each year of experience up to five years plus twenty cents per hour of training up to 160 hours. Since that time an additional increment of fifty cents per hour for graduate hours was added and it was increased to $140.
  • In January of 1944, with two more years on his contract, Mr. Harrod asked to be released from his remaining time to accept a teaching posistion in Wittenburg College in Ohio where the United States government was maintaining a training center for Navy personnel. The Augusta Board of Education released Harrod and employed in his place William Harold Hanson, of Millersburg, Kentucky to fill out the unexpired time on Harrod's contract. Hanson was a native of Maryland and a graduate of St. Johns College and had also been employed in the Millersburg Military Institute from 1923-1944.
  • In 1944 the patrons of the Locust Grove Sub-District, of the county met with the Augusta Board and petitioned it to annex the district with the Augusta Independent School District. This was highly accepted by the Augusta Board but turned down by the Bracken County system. The pupils residing in this district were soon transported by the county to Augusta School. The county paid tuition for these pupils at a rate of $22.50 per semester for elementary grades (grades 1-6) and $35.00 per semester for those in the upper six grades (grades 7-12). In 1945 the tax levy was increased to $1.35 and in 1948 it was increased to the maximum at the time allowed by the Commonwealth to $1.50. In addition to the $1.50 for the Sinking Fund to be used only for the retirement of bonds and the interest on same. These bonds were paid off by 1955.
  • Hanson over saw many things during Augusta’s history. This included District title 1964 and many Runner-up Titles in Basketball, which Hanson coached. He also helped revive much of the splender of Augusta’s past time, which would be continued by his successor, Mack Wallace (1972-1992) and would end after Wallace in 1992 and would be revived by the current Superintendent John Cordle (2003-Present). The revivals Hanson and Wallace implemented would often come into conflict with the neighboring school districts (Brooksville Independent-Graded School District, and Bracken County Schools) he sought was he thought was best for the school and helped establish Augusta High School as a power house during his tenure.
  • The Anthony Johnson Age 1987-1993: Harold Anthony Johnson was one of the most popular Principal's in Augusta High School's history. His Principalship was also one of the most successful in history. The early years of Johnson's Administration was marked by the beginning of stability, this was because in today's world of education it is often rare for an administrator to stay that long, especially in a small school like Augusta. Johnson loved the kids and community, so he was always welcome. After many principals that lasted 3-5 years Johnson was determined to keep his position, and make Augusta the best it could be. But things would not go as well as some would have thought.
  • The Walk Out and the Defeat of Johnson 1993: Despite fear of suspension, about 70 students in Augusta High School walked away from classes on Tuesday morning to stade an emotionally charged fifteen minute protest over principal Tony Johnson. Dozens of students paraded into the school parking lot outside of the school building around 8:10 AM shortly after an assembly during which Superintendent Dr. Larry Kelsch failed to persuade them against the walkout. Johnson stated he did not believe in some things coming out of the Central Office, and held it to his convictions, an action that would result, in his removal from office and one of the most emotional walk outs in the school's history.
  • The students were orderly and agreed to return to class after Johnson followed them into the parking lot and pleaded with them to abandon the protest. The students had pledged Monday to boycott classes after hearing Kelsch had forced the popular principal out of his job. Kelsch stated to Johnson that he would not renew his employment for next year and to seek employment elsewhere. Kelsch had stated that he had not have a hand in Johnson's decision to leave. Kelsch though had accused Johnson in the past of leading a "clique" of school employees which wanted Kelsch replaced.
  • Johnson at this time had been Principal of Augusta High School for six and a half years, presiding over the whole school (preschool-12). Johnson and Kelsch had been at odds since the Kelsch had blamed the bookkeeper over the $101,246 dollar deficeit that surfaced over Dr. Larry Kelsch's first year as Superintendent of Augusta Independent Schools. A plan had been, at this time, recently approved by the school board.
  • Tuesday morning many students headed back to their classrooms either crying or on the verge of tears. Some stated that Kelsch and Augusta Board of Education member Bob Snapp told them Tuesday morning, that walking out would lead to a three day suspension. The students were still determined to take a stand for Johnson whom many said was always around for them when they needed someone to listen to them or lend a helping hand.
  • Around 60 of 83 AHS students in grades 9-12 participated. Many students stated that Kelsch had triggered the district woes by overspending and resented what they perceived as an unfair treatment of Johnson and the bookeeper. Kelsch stated that after the protest he had not threatened to suspend students who walked out and did not anticipate taking disciplinary action against those who returned to class. During the assembly Kelsch attempted to persuade students to sign a paper so he would have a record of which remained in school and which left to protest. Johnson soon left to accept a position in the nearby Pendleton County School system, he would later return to Bracken County, but this time as Superintendent of The Bracken County School system. The class of 1994, who were the ones who arranged the walkout, used a quote that Johnson had told them many times: "Stand up for what you believe in," the class motto is: "You gotta stand for something, or you'll fall for anything."
  • Age of Dr. Larry Kelsch 1992-2000: Dr. Kelsch was a 1965 graduate of Augusta High School and originally taught at Augusta in the early 70's.
  • The New Age 2000-Present: Motto: School: Veritas, Laude, Fides Latin (Truth, Honor, Loyalty) District: Always Inspiring Success.
  • Colors: Orange Black White.
  • Dedication: October 31, 1887 (Present Building erected October 30, 1896).
  • Mascot: Black Panther.
  • School Status: Operational Public Independent School District.
  • Athletics: Basketball Boys Girls - Junior Varsity, Varsity; Baseball; Archery; Softball; Tennis; Volleyball.
  • Rival Schools: Bracken County High School (Polar Bears); Maysville-Mason County High School (Royals) (Maysville High School was independent until its closure in 1991 its mascot was the Bull Dogs).
  • Clubs and Organizations: FCCLA, FEA, STLP, Wellness, FCA, CSI, Drama, BETA, Band, Yearbook, Chess, Pep Club.
  • Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL
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School Zip Code:
About This Zip Code (41002)
School Zip (41002) (KY) State Average
Population (Approximate) 2,363 people 3,722,511 people
% (age 25+) w/College Degree 15% 15%
Population Average Age 38 years old 35.9 years old
Average Household size 2.5 persons 2.3 persons
Median Household Income $33,942 $35,205
Avg. # of Rooms in Household 5.3 rooms 5.4 rooms
Median Age of Housing Structure 47 years old 37 years old
View current housing listings in Kentucky
% Owning / % Renting 70% / 30% 67% / 33%
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  Nearby Schools:
1. Felicity-franklin Local High School - 394 students - view location
2. Georgetown Jr/sr High School - 514 students - view location
3. Southern Hills High School - n/a - view location
4. Bracken County High School - 374 students - view location
View all schools in: Augusta Town, Bracken County, Zip 41002 
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Note: Data has been gathered from several government and commercial data sources. School data reflects years 2002-04 statistics (most recent years available). Area and demographic data reflects year 2000 statistics. Public School Review does not ensure the timeliness or accuracy of the information on this site.

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