Top Rankings
Owensboro Independent School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
Student Attention
Lowest student-teacher ratio (Top 1%)
For the 2026 school year, there are 3 public high schools serving 1,446 students in Owensboro Independent School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Kentucky.
Public High Schools in Owensboro Independent School District have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 44% statewide average).
Public High School in Owensboro Independent School District have a Graduation Rate of 87%, which is less than the Kentucky average of 92%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Owensboro High School, with 93% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kentucky or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 44% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is more than the Kentucky public high school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
13 Schools
518 Schools
# Students
5,035 Students
212,834 Students
# Teachers
368 Teachers
13,366 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Owensboro Independent 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 87% has increased from 84% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#106 out of 172 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
17%
22%
Graduation Rate
87%
90%
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)24.6%
28%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.64
0.47
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
2%
% Hispanic
16%
10%
% Black
13%
12%
% White
55%
71%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
13%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,063 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,273. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $15,334 is higher than the state median of $14,011. The school district spending/student has declined by 10% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$71 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$77 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,063
$14,273
Spending / Student
$15,334
$14,011
Best Owensboro Independent School District Public High Schools (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Owensboro Innovation Academy
Vocational School
(Math: 40-59% | Reading: 65-69% )
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2631 S Griffith Avenue
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1000
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1000
Gr: 9-12
Rank: #22.
Emerson Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1335 W 11th Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1087
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1087
Gr: 9-12 | 104 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Owensboro High School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1800 Frederica St
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1110
Owensboro, KY 42301
(270) 686-1110
Gr: 9-12 | 1,342 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
