For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 4,300 students in Covington, KY (there are 12 private schools, serving 2,612 private students). 62% of all K-12 students in Covington, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in Covington, KY are Ft Wright Elementary School, Glenn O Swing Elementary School and John G Carlisle Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Covington, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Covington have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Covington, KY (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Ft Wright Elementary School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 65-69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
501 Farrell Dr
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 331-7742
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 331-7742
Gr: PK-5 | 469 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Glenn O Swing Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
501 W 19th St
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5821
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5821
Gr: K-5 | 392 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #33.
John G Carlisle Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
910 Holman St
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5812
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5812
Gr: K-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #44.
Ludlow High School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
515 Elm St
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 261-8211
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 261-8211
Gr: 7-12 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #55.
Covington Adult High School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50% )
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
212 Levassor Drive
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5864
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5864
Gr: 9-12 | 7 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #66.
Mary A. Goetz Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
512 Oak St
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 261-2100
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 261-2100
Gr: PK-6 | 455 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 20%
Rank: #77.
Sixth District Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
19th And Maryland
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5819
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 292-5819
Gr: K-5 | 454 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #88.
Holmes Middle School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2500 Madison Avenue
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Gr: 6-8 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #99.
Holmes High School
(Math: 8% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
25th And Madison Ave
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Gr: 9-12 | 855 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1010.
Transformational Learning Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: ≤10%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
200 Home Road
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 581-7512
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 581-7512
Gr: K-12 | 43 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: n/an/a
1124 Scott Blvd
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5895
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5895
Gr: PK | 285 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Chapman Vocational Education Center
Vocational School
25th And Madison Streets
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 291-5911
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 291-5911
Gr: 9-12
Rank: n/an/a
Northern Kentucky Technical
Vocational School
1025 Amsterdam Road
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-3931
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-3931
Gr: Inquire with school
Rank: n/an/a
Northern Ky Technical College
Vocational School
1025 Amsterdam Road
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 282-3930
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 282-3930
Gr: Inquire with school
Covington, Kentucky Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Holmes Alternative School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1516 Scott St
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 581-7513
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 581-7513
Gr: 7-12 | 33 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
25th And Madison
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Covington, KY 41014
(859) 655-9545
Gr: 8-9 | 700 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Kenton Central Alternative School (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1030 Old State Rd
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 491-5775
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 491-5775
Gr: 6-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
150 Adela St
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 655-7500
Covington, KY 41016
(859) 655-7500
Gr: 6-8 | 234 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
North Key Community Care (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
502 Farrell Dr
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 344-8888
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 344-8888
Gr: 2-12 | 11 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Northkey Com Care Intensive Services High School (Closed 2023)
Special Education School
502 Farrell Dr
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 331-1900
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 331-1900
Gr: 12 | 20 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
1516 Scott St
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5817
Covington, KY 41011
(859) 292-5817
Gr: K-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Covington, KY?
The top-ranked public schools in Covington, KY include Ft Wright Elementary School, Glenn O Swing Elementary School and John G Carlisle Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Covington?
14 public schools are located in Covington.
What percentage of students in Covington go to public school?
62% of all K-12 students in Covington are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Covington?
Covington public schools minority enrollment is 56% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Covington are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Covington include: John G Carlisle Elementary School vs. Ft Wright Elementary School, Holmes Middle School vs. Holmes High School, John G Carlisle Elementary School vs. Mary A. Goetz Elementary School
Recent Articles
How to Read a School Improvement Plan Before Choosing a School
Learn how to read a school improvement plan, identify meaningful goals, and evaluate whether a school's improvement efforts align with your child's educational needs.
Should You Move for a Better Public School? A Cost vs. Benefit Analysis
Considering a move to a better public school? Explore the financial, academic, and lifestyle tradeoffs before making one of your family's biggest decisions.
When a Higher-Rated School Isn't the Better Fit
Discover why the highest-rated public school may not always be the best choice and learn how to evaluate schools based on your child's unique needs.
