Nicholas County School District

395 West Main St.
Carlisle, KY 40311
(District boundaries shown in map)
3/
10
Bottom 50%

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public schools serving 1,080 students in Nicholas County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Nicholas County School District have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Overview

This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
2 Schools
1,542 Schools
# Students
1,080 Students
655,790 Students
# Teachers
60 Teachers
42,793 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Nicholas 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 92% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (KY)
#133 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
31%
38%
37%
45%
13%
22%
92%
90%
(2022-23)
29.7%
28%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.14
0.48
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
5%
10%
% Black
1%
11%
% White
93%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
1%
6%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,229 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,273. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $11,706 is less than the state median of $14,012. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
This School District
This State (KY)
Total Revenue
$15 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$13 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,229
$14,273
Spending / Student
$11,706
$14,012

Best Nicholas County School District Public Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Nicholas County High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
103 School Dr
Carlisle, KY 40311
(859) 289-3780
Gr: 7-12 | 435 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #22.
Nicholas County Elementary School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
133 School Drive
Carlisle, KY 40311
(859) 289-3785
Gr: PK-6 | 645 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 8%

Frequently Asked Questions

How many schools belong to Nicholas County School District?
Nicholas County School District manages 2 public schools serving 1,080 students.
What is the rank of Nicholas County School District?
Nicholas County School District is ranked #136 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 20%)
What is the racial composition of students in Nicholas County School District?
93% of Nicholas County School District students are White, 5% of students are Hispanic, 1% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Nicholas County School District?
Nicholas County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 18:1, which is higher than the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Nicholas County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $11,706 is less than the state median of $14,012. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 2 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 1,080 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 7%
  • : 92% (Top 20% in KY)
  • : Bottom 50%
  • : 31% (Btm 50%)
  • : 37% (Btm 50%)
  • : 13% (Btm 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KY Dept. of Education

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