For the 2025 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 7,107 students in Nelson County, KY (there are , serving 1,393 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Nelson County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
The top ranked public schools in Nelson County, KY are Bardstown High School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nelson County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Nelson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Nelson County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Bardstown High School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
400 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802
Grades: 9-12
| 670 students
Rank: #22.
Bardstown Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
410 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8803
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8803
Grades: 6-8
| 557 students
Rank: #33.
Bardstown Elementary School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1345 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8801
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8801
Grades: 2-5
| 841 students
Rank: #44.
Boston School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
130 Wilson Creek Rd
Boston, KY 40107
(502) 833-4644
Boston, KY 40107
(502) 833-4644
Grades: K-8
| 346 students
Rank: #55.
Bloomfield Middle School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
96 Arnold Ln
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7201
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7201
Grades: 6-8
| 305 students
Rank: #66.
Nelson County High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1070 Bloomfield Rd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010
Grades: 9-12
| 783 students
Rank: #77.
Coxs Creek Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
5635 Louisville Rd
Coxs Creek, KY 40013
(502) 349-7050
Coxs Creek, KY 40013
(502) 349-7050
Grades: K-5
| 478 students
Rank: #88.
Thomas Nelson High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
150 Generals Blvd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650
Grades: 9-12
| 643 students
Rank: #99.
Bloomfield Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
360 Arnold Lane
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7211
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7211
Grades: K-5
| 230 students
Rank: #1010.
Old Kentucky Home Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Wildcat Ln
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7040
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7040
Grades: 6-8
| 391 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
The Academy At Horizons
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Grades: K-12
| 52 students
Rank: #11 - 1211. - 12.
Bardstown Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1345 Templin Av
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Grades: K-12
| 37 students
Rank: #1313.
Foster Heights Elementary School
(Math: 11% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
211 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7030
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7030
Grades: K-5
| 624 students
Rank: #1414.
The New Haven School
(Math: 14% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
489 High St
New Haven, KY 40051
(502) 349-7232
New Haven, KY 40051
(502) 349-7232
Grades: K-8
| 322 students
Rank: n/an/a
980 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8804
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8804
Grades: PK
| 267 students
Rank: n/an/a
1000 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8810
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8810
Grades: K-1
| 406 students
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Youth Village
Alternative School
1013 Granite Drive
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
1200 Cardinal Dr
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 350-3914
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 350-3914
Grades: PK
| 155 students
Rank: n/an/a
The Up Center
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Rd.
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Nelson County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
100 Broadway
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Grades: PK-5
| 133 students
Nelson County Area Technology Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Road
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Grades: 8-12
| n/a students
219 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Grades: 4-5
| 231 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Nelson County, KY?
The top ranked public schools in Nelson County, KY include Bardstown High School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Nelson County?
19 public schools are located in Nelson County.
What percentage of students in Nelson County go to public school?
84% of all K-12 students in Nelson County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County?
Nelson County public schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Nelson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Nelson County include: Thomas Nelson High School vs. Nelson County High School, Nelson County High School vs. Thomas Nelson High School, Bloomfield Middle School vs. Old Kentucky Home Middle School
Recent Articles
Segregation in K-12 Education: Colonial Era
Explore the origins of educational segregation during the colonial era and the differential treatment of Native American, African American, and white students. This article delves into the historical context, policies, and societal attitudes that shaped early education in colonial America, highlighting the disparities and injustices that persisted within the schooling systems of that time.
2011 Classroom Size Update: Are Classes Still Growing Larger?
Since the recession, public school classrooms have seen major budget cuts - and many increases in class sizes. How is the situation in 2011? Read this article to find out.
Will Single Sex Classrooms Save Public Schools?
Learn about the benefits of single sex classrooms and why public schools are hoping this type of classroom will save the American school system.
