For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 2,185 students in Nelson County, KY.
The top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY are Bardstown High School, Bardstown Alternative School and Thomas Nelson High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nelson County, KY public high schools have an average math proficiency score of 28% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 33%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 44% statewide average). High schools in Nelson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public high schools.
Nelson County, KY public high school have a Graduation Rate of 94%, which is more than the Kentucky average of 92%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Bardstown 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 17% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public High Schools in Nelson County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bardstown High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
400 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802
Gr: 9-12 | 670 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #22.
Bardstown Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1345 Templin Av
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Gr: K-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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
Nelson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Broadway
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Gr: PK-5 | 133 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Nelson County Area Technology Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Road
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Gr: 8-12
219 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Gr: 4-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY?
The top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY include Bardstown High School, Bardstown Alternative School and Thomas Nelson High School.
How many public high schools are located in Nelson County?
7 public high schools are located in Nelson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County?
Nelson County public high schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public high schools in Nelson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public high schools in Nelson County include: Thomas Nelson High School vs. Nelson County High School, Nelson County High School vs. Thomas Nelson High School, Bardstown High School vs. Nelson County High School