For the 2025 school year, there are 15 public schools serving 6,964 students in Shelby County, KY (there are 4 private schools, serving 646 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in Shelby County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY are Simpsonville Elementary School, Ascension Academy and Heritage Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Simpsonville Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
6725 Shelbyville Rd
Simpsonville, KY 40067
(502) 722-8855
Simpsonville, KY 40067
(502) 722-8855
Grades: K-5
| 431 students
Rank: #22.
Ascension Academy
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1361 Frankfort Rd.
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4677
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4677
Grades: 7-12
| 32 students
Rank: #33.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8300 Frankfort Rd
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5242
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5242
Grades: K-5
| 389 students
Rank: #44.
Shelby County East Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-1478
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-1478
Grades: 6-8
| 556 students
Rank: #55.
Marnel C. Moorman School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
501 Discovery Boulevard
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-0204
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-0204
Grades: K-8
| 781 students
Rank: #66.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
500 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5222
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5222
Grades: K-5
| 503 students
Rank: #77.
Martha Layne Collins High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Discovery Blvd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-1160
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-1160
Grades: 9-12
| 1,208 students
Rank: #88.
Shelby County West Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
100 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4869
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4869
Grades: 6-8
| 552 students
Rank: #99.
Painted Stone Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
150 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4505
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4505
Grades: K-5
| 465 students
Rank: #1010.
Shelby County High School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Frankfort Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2344
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2344
Grades: 9-12
| 998 students
Rank: #1111.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
728 Ginkgo Dr
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4460
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4460
Grades: K-5
| 417 students
Rank: #1212.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
279 Chapel Hill Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Grades: K-5
| 426 students
Rank: n/an/a
821 College Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5123
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5123
Grades: PK
| 206 students
Rank: n/an/a
Shelby County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
230 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6554
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6554
Grades: 8-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1155 West Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Grades: K-12
| n/a students
Shelby County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Shelby County Diploma Recovery (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
1701 Frankfort Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
279 Chapel Hill Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Grades: PK
| 70 students
Shelby County Public Schools Home School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1155 West Main St
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2375
Grades: K-12
| 240 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY include Simpsonville Elementary School, Ascension Academy and Heritage Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Shelby County?
15 public schools are located in Shelby County.
What percentage of students in Shelby County go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in Shelby County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Shelby County include: Martha Layne Collins High School vs. Shelby County High School, Shelby County West Middle School vs. Shelby County East Middle School, Shelby County High School vs. Martha Layne Collins High School
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