Kentucky is the #23 largest school system in the United States, serving 655,790 students across the 1,541 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 378 private schools, serving 71,938 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 39%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Kentucky are Greathouse/shryock Traditional, 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 29%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Kentucky (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Greathouse/shryock Traditional
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (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: #22.
Scapa At Bluegrass
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 78% (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: 82% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (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.
Sublimity Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
900 Sublimity School Rd
London, KY 40744
(606) 862-4692
London, KY 40744
(606) 862-4692
Rank: #55.
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: #66.
Donald E. Cline 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-5
5586 E Alexandria Dr
Newport, KY 41076
(859) 781-4544
Newport, KY 41076
(859) 781-4544
Rank: #77.
Dupont Manual High School
Magnet School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
120 W Lee St
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Athens-chilesburg Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75% (Top 5%)
Reading: 76% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
930 Jouett Creek Dr
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 381-4955
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 381-4955
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Cold Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
4012 W Laurel Rd
London, KY 40741
(606) 862-4632
London, KY 40741
(606) 862-4632
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
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
Overview
This State (KY)
US
# Schools
1,541 Schools
100,275 Schools
# Students
655,790 Students
49,273,202 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
# Teachers
42,793 Teachers
3,176,873 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (KY)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
43%
Graduation Rate
91.4%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 11-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
55%
50%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.48
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
851 Students
465,608 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
14,083 Students
2,805,329 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
68,164 Students
14,933,117 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
70,446 Students
7,261,590 Students
% Black Students
11%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
464,886 Students
20,989,063 Students
% White Students
71%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
1,276 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
36,084 Students
2,585,768 Students
% of Two or more races Students
6%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (KY)
Statewide Total Revenue
$11,498 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$11,295 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$17,532
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$17,223
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Kentucky Public Schools by County (2026-27)
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 Greathouse/shryock Traditional, Scapa At Bluegrass, and Anchorage Independent Public School.
How many public schools are located in Kentucky?
1,541 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 29%, 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, Black Mountain Elementary School vs. Evarts Elementary School, Williamstown Jr. High School vs. Grant County Middle School
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