Home > Kentucky > Nelson County

Nelson County School District

Item: Nelson County School District
Rating: 1
Author: Public School Review

288 Wildcat Ln
Bardstown, KY 40004-5277

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (502) 349-7000

www.nelson.kyschools.us

Top Rankings

Nelson County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:

Overview

This School District

This State (KY)

# Schools

13 Schools

1,085 Schools

# Students

4,178 Students

449,286 Students

# Teachers

278 Teachers

30,192 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

15:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
Pre-K	32	98
Kind	270	252
1	268	276
2	253	279
3	283	289
4	293	271
5	301	276
6	321	276
7	279	227
8	307	241
9	8	20
10	8	22
11	13	21
12	7	20

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

District Rank

Nelson County School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 171 school districts in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 96% has increased from 94% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (KY)

#159 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Nelson County School District
2023	#159
2022	#159
2021	#113
2019	#111
2018	#113
2017	#95
2016	#78
2015	#69
2014	#70
2013	#96
2012	#97
2011	#122
2010	#135

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

25%

38%

View Data

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	25%	38%
2022	24%	38%
2021	23%	30%
2019	40%	46%
2018	41%	47%
2017	42%	47%
2016	48%	49%
2015	44%	45%
2014	46%	46%
2013	38%	42%
2012	38%	41%
2011	62%	66%
2010	58%	64%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

30%

45%

View Data

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2022	30%	45%
2021	36%	42%
2019	54%	56%
2018	41%	56%
2017	54%	56%
2016	55%	56%
2015	55%	55%
2014	54%	54%
2013	47%	51%
2012	45%	48%
2011	69%	72%
2010	69%	72%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

12%

22%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2022	12%	22%
2021	19%	24%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(21-22)

96%

90%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2022	96%	90%
2021	92%	90%
2020	94%	90%
2019	92%	90%
2018	94%	90%
2017	94%	89%
2016	94%	89%
2015	94%	89%
2014	88%	88%
2013	88%	89%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

(2022-23)

24.6%

28%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	24.6%	28%
2022	20.7%	26.1%
2021	7.7%	36.9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Students by Ethnicity:

0.19

0.48

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	0.15	0.45
2022	0.15	0.44
2021	0.14	0.42
2020	0.14	0.42
2019	0.14	0.41
2018	0.12	0.39
2017	0.12	0.39
2016	0.11	0.38
2015	0.27	0.36
2014	0.11	0.36
2013	0.10	0.35
2012	0.10	0.33
2011	0.09	0.32
2010	0.09	0.30
2009	0.08	0.30
2008	0.07	0.28
2007	0.07	0.28
2006	0.06	0.25
2005	0.06	0.25
2004	0.06	0.23
2003	0.06	0.23
2002	0.06	0.23
2001	0.07	0.23
2000	0.04	0.24
1999	0.06	0.23
1998	0.07	0.22
1997	0.06	0.22
1996	0.06	0.20
1995	0.06	0.20
1994	0.06	0.22
1993	0.05	0.18
1992	0.05	0.22
1991	0.06	0.18
1990	0.06	0.18
1989	0.06	0.18
1988	0.05	0.18

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (2001-2022)
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2022	1%	2%
2021	1%	2%
2006	1%	1%
2004	1%	1%
2002	1%	1%
2001	1%	1%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hispanic

11%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (2005-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	4%	9%
2022	4%	8%
2021	3%	8%
2020	4%	8%
2019	4%	7%
2018	4%	7%
2017	4%	6%
2016	4%	6%
2015	5%	6%
2014	3%	5%
2013	2%	5%
2012	3%	4%
2011	2%	4%
2010	2%	4%
2009	2%	3%
2008	1%	3%
2007	1%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Black

11%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	1%	11%
2022	1%	11%
2021	1%	11%
2020	1%	11%
2019	1%	11%
2018	1%	10%
2017	1%	11%
2016	1%	11%
2015	3%	11%
2014	2%	11%
2013	2%	11%
2012	1%	11%
2011	2%	11%
2010	2%	11%
2009	2%	11%
2008	2%	11%
2007	2%	11%
2006	2%	11%
2005	2%	11%
2004	2%	10%
2003	3%	11%
2002	2%	11%
2001	3%	11%
2000	2%	10%
1999	3%	11%
1998	4%	10%
1997	3%	10%
1996	3%	10%
1995	3%	10%
1994	3%	10%
1993	2%	9%
1992	2%	10%
1991	3%	10%
1990	3%	9%
1989	3%	9%
1988	3%	9%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% White

90%

70%

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

White Student Percentage Comparison (1988-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	92%	73%
2022	92%	74%
2021	93%	75%
2020	93%	75%
2019	93%	76%
2018	94%	77%
2017	94%	77%
2016	94%	78%
2015	71%	79%
2014	94%	79%
2013	95%	80%
2012	95%	81%
2011	95%	82%
2010	96%	83%
2009	96%	83%
2008	97%	84%
2007	97%	84%
2006	96%	86%
2005	97%	86%
2004	97%	87%
2003	97%	87%
2002	97%	87%
2001	96%	87%
2000	98%	87%
1999	97%	87%
1998	96%	88%
1997	97%	88%
1996	97%	89%
1995	97%	89%
1994	97%	88%
1993	98%	90%
1992	98%	88%
1991	97%	90%
1990	97%	90%
1989	97%	90%
1988	97%	90%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2011-2023)
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	3%	5%
2022	2%	5%
2021	2%	4%
2020	2%	4%
2019	2%	4%
2018	1%	4%
2017	1%	4%
2016	1%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	1%	3%
2013	1%	3%
2012	1%	2%
2011	1%	2%

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $20,216 is higher than the state median of $17,532. The school district revenue/student has grown by 35% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $16,578 is less than the state median of $17,223. The school district spending/student has grown by 23% over four school years.

This School District

This State (KY)

Total Revenue

$85 MM

$11,498 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	$84 MM	$39 MM
2022	$68 MM	$34 MM
2021	$62 MM	$31 MM
2020	$56 MM	$28 MM
2019	$58 MM	$29 MM
2018	$56 MM	$28 MM
2017	$52 MM	$27 MM
2016	$51 MM	$26 MM
2015	$47 MM	$24 MM
2014	$48 MM	$25 MM
2012	$46 MM	$25 MM
2011	$49 MM	$25 MM
2010	$47 MM	$24 MM
2009	$45 MM	$24 MM
2008	$45 MM	$23 MM
2007	$43 MM	$21 MM
2006	$40 MM	$21 MM
2005	$37 MM	$19 MM
2004	$32 MM	$18 MM
2003	$33 MM	$17 MM
2002	$31 MM	$16 MM
2001	$29 MM	$16 MM
2000	$27 MM	$15 MM
1999	$27 MM	$15 MM
1998	$24 MM	$13 MM
1997	$24 MM	$13 MM
1996	$22 MM	$12 MM
1995	$22 MM	$12 MM
1992	$15 MM	$9 MM
1990	$11 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending

$69 MM

$11,295 MM

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	$69 MM	$38 MM
2022	$61 MM	$34 MM
2021	$57 MM	$31 MM
2020	$53 MM	$30 MM
2019	$51 MM	$29 MM
2018	$54 MM	$29 MM
2017	$54 MM	$27 MM
2016	$46 MM	$26 MM
2015	$53 MM	$24 MM
2014	$45 MM	$24 MM
2012	$58 MM	$25 MM
2011	$65 MM	$25 MM
2010	$53 MM	$24 MM
2009	$47 MM	$23 MM
2008	$50 MM	$23 MM
2007	$46 MM	$23 MM
2006	$43 MM	$21 MM
2005	$38 MM	$20 MM
2004	$41 MM	$18 MM
2003	$31 MM	$17 MM
2002	$30 MM	$16 MM
2001	$28 MM	$15 MM
2000	$27 MM	$16 MM
1999	$26 MM	$15 MM
1998	$23 MM	$14 MM
1997	$27 MM	$14 MM
1996	$25 MM	$13 MM
1995	$20 MM	$12 MM
1992	$14 MM	$9 MM
1990	$11 MM	$7 MM

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Revenue / Student

$20,216

$17,532

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	$19,109	$17,794
2022	$14,948	$16,021
2021	$13,699	$13,947
2020	$11,913	$12,277
2019	$12,420	$12,601
2018	$12,175	$12,004
2017	$11,067	$11,655
2016	$10,803	$11,340
2015	$10,054	$10,260
2014	$10,065	$10,525
2012	$9,774	$10,538
2011	$10,100	$10,815
2010	$9,767	$10,260
2009	$9,310	$10,129
2008	$9,199	$9,593
2007	$9,179	$9,177
2006	$8,244	$8,595
2005	$7,546	$8,058
2004	$6,586	$7,571
2003	$6,712	$7,233
2002	$7,075	$6,765
2001	$6,834	$6,804
2000	$6,045	$6,297
1999	$5,885	$6,223
1998	$5,160	$5,571
1997	$5,215	$5,719
1995	$5,063	$5,143
1992	$3,852	$3,961
1990	$2,888	$3,028

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Spending / Student

$16,578

$17,223

View Data

Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Nelson County School District	Kentucky
2023	$15,670	$17,331
2022	$13,437	$15,650
2021	$12,662	$13,961
2020	$11,170	$13,046
2019	$10,967	$12,743
2018	$11,843	$12,248
2017	$11,548	$11,623
2016	$9,744	$11,206
2015	$11,165	$10,180
2014	$9,472	$10,401
2012	$12,165	$10,497
2011	$13,397	$10,742
2010	$10,847	$10,180
2009	$9,778	$9,906
2008	$10,018	$9,747
2007	$9,809	$9,749
2006	$8,731	$8,847
2005	$7,865	$8,358
2004	$8,489	$7,657
2003	$6,310	$7,021
2002	$6,828	$6,829
2001	$6,641	$6,553
2000	$5,897	$6,848
1999	$5,608	$6,265
1998	$4,945	$5,710
1997	$6,074	$6,044
1995	$4,747	$4,886
1992	$3,609	$3,804
1990	$2,839	$3,062

Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON

Download Full School District Data: Full School Distirct Dataset XML | Full School Distirct Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Recent Articles

October 14, 2026

Does Your Public School Have Enough Nurses?

Learn whether your public school has enough nurses, how staffing affects student safety, chronic illness management, emergency care, and what parents should ask about available school health services today.

October 14, 2026

When Your Child Falls Behind Without Special Education

Learn what happens when your child falls behind academically but doesn't qualify for special education, including available school interventions, parent rights, tutoring options, and practical strategies for securing support.

October 14, 2026

When Your Child Finishes Classwork Faster Than Others

Discover why some children finish classwork faster than classmates, how teachers manage early finishers, and what parents can do to ensure meaningful learning, appropriate challenges, and continued academic growth.

Quick Facts (26-27)

District size: 13 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 4,178 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1
Minority Enrollment: 10%
: 96% (Btm 50% in KY)
: Bottom 50%
: 25% (Btm 50%)
: 30% (Btm 50%)
: 12% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KY Dept. of Education