Kentucky is the #23 largest school system in the United States, serving 657,239 students across the 1,537 public schools for the 2025 school year (there are 383 private schools, serving 72,250 students). 90% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Kentucky is 38%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Kentucky are Dupont Manual High School, Scapa At Bluegrass, and Anchorage Independent Public School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 28%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student:teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top Ranked Public Schools in Kentucky (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Dupont Manual High School
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 78% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
120 W Lee St
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Rank: #1 - 21. - 2.
Scapa At Bluegrass
(Math: 80% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 4-8
400 Lafayette Pkwy
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 381-3332
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 381-3332
Rank: #33.
Anchorage Independent Public School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 81% (Top 1%)
Reading: 81% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
11400 Ridge Rd
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 245-2121
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 245-2121
Rank: #44.
Murray Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-3
111 Broach Ave
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-5022
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-5022
Rank: #55.
Greathouse/shryock Traditional
Magnet School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 76% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
2700 Browns Lane
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 485-8259
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 485-8259
Rank: #66.
Kyrock Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-4
5720 Hwy 259 N
Sweeden, KY 42285
(270) 286-4013
Sweeden, KY 42285
(270) 286-4013
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Farmington Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-6
7730 State Rt 121 S
Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 328-4830
Mayfield, KY 42066
(270) 328-4830
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Highlands High School
(Math: 73% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 73% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
2400 Memorial Pkwy
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(859) 781-5900
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(859) 781-5900
Rank: #99.
Norton Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 72% (Top 5%)
Reading: 78% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
8101 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 485-8308
Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 485-8308
Rank: #1010.
Woodfill Elementary School
(Math: 70-74% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
1025 Alexandria Pk
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(859) 441-0506
Fort Thomas, KY 41075
(859) 441-0506
Overview
This State (KY)
# Schools
1,537 Schools
# Students
657,239 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
43,057 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (KY)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
22%
Graduation Rate
90%
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
# American Indian Students
877 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
13,629 Students
% Asian Students
2%
# Hispanic Students
62,748 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
# Black Students
70,340 Students
% Black Students
11%
# White Students
473,486 Students
% White Students
72%
# Hawaiian Students
1,217 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
34,942 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (KY)
Total Revenue (22-23)
$9,360 MM
Spending (22-23)
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student (22-23)
$14,242
Spending / Student (22-23)
$13,981
Best Kentucky Public Schools by County (2025)
Popular neighborhoods: Newburg (9 schools), Picadome (6 schools), Old Louisville (6 schools), Pleasure Ridge Park (6 schools), Eastside (5 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Kentucky?
The top-ranked public schools in Kentucky include Dupont Manual High School, Scapa At Bluegrass, and Anchorage Independent Public School.
How many public schools are located in Kentucky?
1,537 public schools are located in Kentucky.
What percentage of students in Kentucky go to public school?
90% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Kentucky?
Minority enrollment in Kentucky is 28%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in Kentucky are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Kentucky include: Paris High School vs. Bourbon County High School, Williamstown Jr. High School vs. Grant County Middle School, Thomas Nelson High School vs. Nelson County High School
Recent Articles

What is Project-Based Learning?
Project-based learning has been highly touted by some educators as a viable option to traditional learning models. We’ll take a look at what project-based learning is and why it is getting so much attention today.

What is an Online High School
Find information about Online High Schools - what they are and how they work.

“Smart Snacks” Standards Coming to School Vending Machines Nationwide
We explore new federal regulations that will ban junk food from public schools. This means no more sweets and soda in cafeteria lines, vending machines and snacks sold in other locations around the schools.