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 1,478 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 8% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
13 Schools
514 Schools
# Students
4,329 Students
214,764 Students
# Teachers
288 Teachers
13,404 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%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.17
0.46
% American Indian
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
4%
10%
% Black
1%
11%
% White
91%
72%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,234 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,250. The school district revenue/student has grown by 19% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,156 is less than the state median of $13,989. The school district spending/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$62 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$57 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,234
$14,250
Spending / Student
$13,156
$13,989
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 | 643 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
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 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
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 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
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
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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