Nelson County High School is a public high school located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Until 2012, it was the only high school in the Nelson County School District, and was by far the largest of the four high schools then located in Bardstown.
Serving 783 students in grades 9-12, Nelson County High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Kentucky for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 25-29% (which is lower than the Kentucky state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 35-39% (which is lower than the Kentucky state average of 45%).
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is higher than the Kentucky state level of 15:1.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Kentucky state average of 28% (majority Black).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 783 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 17:1
- Minority Enrollment: 10%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 10% in KY)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 25-29% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 35-39% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 10-14% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KY Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Nelson County High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Kentucky for:
Category
Attribute
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Nelson County High School's student population of 783 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 46 teachers has grown by 15% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
783 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
46 teachers
Year Founded
1969
School Rankings
Nelson County High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 1,267 schools in Kentucky (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Nelson County High School is 0.19, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.46. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#881 out of 1267 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
25-29%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
35-39%
45%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
10-14%
22%
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
15:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
2%
Hispanic
4%
10%
Black
2%
11%
White
90%
72%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
90%
Eligible for Free Lunch
42%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
3%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), KY Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nelson County High School's ranking?
Nelson County High School is ranked #881 out of 1,267 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Kentucky.
What schools are Nelson County High School often compared to?
Nelson County High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Thomas Nelson High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
25-29% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% KY state average), while 35-39% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 45% KY state average).
What is the graduation rate of Nelson County High School?
The graduation rate of Nelson County High School is 95%, which is higher than the Kentucky state average of 90%.
How many students attend Nelson County High School?
783 students attend Nelson County High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
90% of Nelson County High School students are White, 4% of students are Hispanic, 3% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Black, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Nelson County High School?
Nelson County High School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Kentucky state average of 15:1.
What grades does Nelson County High School offer ?
Nelson County High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Nelson County High School part of?
Nelson County High School is part of Nelson County School District.
School Reviews
Review Nelson County High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
