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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Nelson County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 7,107 students in Nelson County, KY (there are 10 private schools, serving 1,332 private students). 84% of all K-12 students in Nelson County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Nelson County, KY are Bardstown Elementary School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown High 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 39%), 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 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Nelson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bardstown Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
1345 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8801
Gr: 2-5 | 847 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Bardstown Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
410 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8803
Gr: 6-8 | 591 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Bardstown High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
400 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802
Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #44.
Bardstown Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
1345 Templin Av
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Gr: K-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Thomas Nelson High School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Generals Blvd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650
Gr: 9-12 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 6%
Rank: #66.
Coxs Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
5635 Louisville Rd
Coxs Creek, KY 40013
(502) 349-7050
Gr: K-5 | 474 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #77.
Boston School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
130 Wilson Creek Rd
Boston, KY 40107
(502) 833-4644
Gr: PK-8 | 251 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Bloomfield Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
360 Arnold Lane
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7211
Gr: K-5 | 225 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Nelson County High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1070 Bloomfield Rd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010
Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #1010.
Bloomfield Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
96 Arnold Ln
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7201
Gr: 6-8 | 296 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #1111.
Old Kentucky Home Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
301 Wildcat Ln
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7040
Gr: 6-8 | 594 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #1212.
Foster Heights Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
211 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7030
Gr: K-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #1313.
The Academy At Horizons
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 19%
Rank: #1414.
The New Haven School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
489 High St
New Haven, KY 40051
(502) 349-7232
Gr: K-8 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
Bardstown Early Childhood Center
980 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8804
Gr: PK | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: n/an/a
Bardstown Primary School
1000 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8810
Gr: K-1 | 434 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Youth Village
Alternative School
1013 Granite Drive
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: n/an/a
Nelson County Early Learning Center
1200 Cardinal Dr
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 350-3914
Gr: PK | 150 students Student-teacher ratio: 38:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: n/an/a
The Up Center
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Rd.
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Gr: 6-12

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 Elementary School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown High 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 91%).
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 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Nelson County are often viewed compared to one another?

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