Top Rankings
Nelson County School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
Highest graduation rate (Top 5%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025 school year, there are 13 public schools serving 4,329 students in Nelson County School District. This district's average testing ranking is 1/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public schools in Kentucky.
Public Schools in Nelson County School District have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 38%), and reading proficiency score of 30% (versus the 45% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Overview
This School District
This State (KY)
# Schools
13 Schools
1,537 Schools
# Students
4,329 Students
657,239 Students
# Teachers
288 Teachers
43,057 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 2021-2022 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)
24%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
30%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
12%
22%
Graduation Rate
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 $14,242. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $13,156 is less than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$62 MM
$9,360 MM
Spending
$57 MM
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,234
$14,242
Spending / Student
$13,156
$13,981
Best Nelson County School District Public Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: #88.
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: #99.
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: #1010.
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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District manages 13 public schools serving 4,329 students.
What is the rank of Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District is ranked #159 out of 171 school districts in Kentucky (bottom 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2021-2022 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Kentucky school districts for: Highest graduation rate (Top 5%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County School District?
91% of Nelson County School District students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 1% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Black.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Nelson County School District?
Nelson County School District has a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, which is equal to the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What is Nelson County School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $13,156 is less than the state median of $13,981. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
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.
