Top Rankings
Nelson County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 5 public high schools serving 1,438 students in Nelson County School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Kentucky.
Public High Schools in Nelson County School District have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 34% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Public High School in Nelson County School District have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the Kentucky average of 92%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Nelson County High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kentucky or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
13 Schools
516 Schools
# Students
4,178 Students
212,804 Students
# Teachers
278 Teachers
13,364 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
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.
Overall District Rank
#159 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
22%
Graduation Rate
(21-22)96%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)24.6%
28%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.19
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
4%
10%
% Black
1%
12%
% White
90%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,748 is higher than the state median of $14,273. The school district revenue/student has grown by 23% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,631 is less than the state median of $14,012. The school district spending/student has grown by 22% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$62 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$57 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,748
$14,273
Spending / Student
$13,631
$14,012
Best Nelson County School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Thomas Nelson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
150 Generals Blvd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650
Gr: 9-12 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #22.
Nelson County High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1070 Bloomfield Rd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010
Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #33.
The Academy At Horizons
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Youth Village
Alternative School
1013 Granite Drive
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
The Up Center
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Rd.
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Gr: 6-12
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