Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Shelby County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 6,964 students in Shelby County, KY (there are 4 private schools, serving 648 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Shelby County, KY are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY are Simpsonville Elementary School, Heritage Elementary School and Shelby County East Middle School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Shelby County, KY public schools have an average math proficiency score of 31% (versus the Kentucky public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 45% statewide average). Schools in Shelby County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public schools.
Minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Simpsonville Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
6725 Shelbyville Rd
Simpsonville, KY 40067
(502) 722-8855
Gr: K-5 | 441 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #22.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
8300 Frankfort Rd
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5242
Gr: K-5 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #33.
Shelby County East Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
600 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-1478
Gr: 6-8 | 505 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Ascension Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1361 Frankfort Rd.
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4677
Gr: 7-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
Marnel C. Moorman School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
501 Discovery Boulevard
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-0204
Gr: K-8 | 803 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #66.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
500 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5222
Gr: K-5 | 489 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: #77.
Martha Layne Collins High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
801 Discovery Blvd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-1160
Gr: 9-12 | 1,157 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #88.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
728 Ginkgo Dr
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4460
Gr: K-5 | 412 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Shelby County High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1701 Frankfort Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2344
Gr: 9-12 | 1,003 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1010.
Painted Stone Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
150 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4505
Gr: K-5 | 458 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #1111.
Shelby County West Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
100 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4869
Gr: 6-8 | 563 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1212.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
279 Chapel Hill Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Gr: K-5 | 425 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: n/an/a
Cultivate Virtual Learning Academy
1361 Frankfort Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(859) 201-2853
Gr: 6-12 | 82 students Student-teacher ratio: 82:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
Northside Early Childhood Center
821 College Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5123
Gr: PK | 228 students Student-teacher ratio: 33:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: n/an/a
Shelby County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
230 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6554
Gr: 8-12
Rank: n/an/a
Shelby County Summer School
1155 West Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Gr: K-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY?
The top-ranked public schools in Shelby County, KY include Simpsonville Elementary School, Heritage Elementary School and Shelby County East Middle School.
How many public schools are located in Shelby County?
15 public schools are located in Shelby County.
What percentage of students in Shelby County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Shelby County are educated in public schools (compared to the KY state average of 91%).
What is the racial composition of students in Shelby County?
Shelby County public schools minority enrollment is 40% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Kentucky public schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (KY):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
Can Students Be Legally Prosecuted for School Fights?
 School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
School Uniforms Debate in 2026: Evidence, Costs, Outcomes
 Education Funding in America (2025 Update)
Education Funding in America (2025 Update)

More Articles

Public School Policies
Scholarships
Public School Jobs
About Public Schools
Local School Topics