Fayette County Schools & Education
Fayette County, Kentucky
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
58/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$8,810
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,894
School Score
58/100
Higher = better
State avg 57/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#59
of 120 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Fayette County
School Verdict
Fayette County performs at an average level with a school score of 58/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.0%.
Funding Context
Fayette County spends $8,810 per student, which is on the lower end of adequate and may require careful resource allocation to maintain quality.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Fayette County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 1% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 5.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 28% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Fayette County, Kentucky
Lexington's Massive Urban School Network
Fayette County operates a robust system of 80 public schools catering to 41,422 students. The landscape features 41 elementary schools and 20 high schools, making it one of the largest educational infrastructures in the state. This single-district system serves a diverse student body across a primarily urban environment.
High Investment and Competitive Scores
The county invests $8,810 per pupil, which is notably higher than the Kentucky state average of $6,894. These resources contribute to a school score of 56.4, outperforming both the state and national medians. The 88.0% graduation rate also stays ahead of the 87% national average.
The Power of Fayette County Schools
Fayette County is the sole district, managing all 41,422 students and 80 individual school sites. Charter schools are not present, meaning 100% of the public options are traditional district-run facilities. This central management oversees massive campuses like Lafayette High School, which alone enrolls over 2,400 students.
Urban Living and Large Campuses
With 78 of its 80 schools located in city settings, Fayette County offers a truly metropolitan educational experience. Large-scale high schools dominate the landscape, with Henry Clay and Paul Laurence Dunbar both exceeding 1,900 students. The average school size of 567 reflects the high-density nature of this central Kentucky hub.
Locating Your Next Home in Lexington
For families moving to Lexington, the diversity of city-based schools is a major draw for residential real estate. High-performing high schools like Lafayette and Paul Laurence Dunbar often drive demand in nearby neighborhoods. Investing in a home here means accessing one of the most well-funded school systems in the Commonwealth.
School Overview
Total Schools
80
in Fayette County
Total Enrollment
41,422
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Fayette County
Fayette County
80 Public Schools in Fayette County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 2,432 |
| Henry Clay High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 2,031 |
| Paul Laurence Dunbar High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 1,946 |
| Bryan Station High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 1,893 |
| Tates Creek High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 1,734 |
| Frederick Douglass High School | Fayette County | 9–12 | High | 1,667 |
| Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 1,081 |
| Jessie M Clark Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 1,044 |
| Leestown Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 966 |
| Beaumont Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 843 |
| Bryan Station Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 815 |
| Winburn Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 800 |
| Southern Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 772 |
| Tates Creek Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 769 |
| Garrett Morgan Elementary | Fayette County | KG–5 | Primary | 756 |
| Crawford Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 751 |
| Liberty Elementary | Fayette County | KG–5 | Primary | 722 |
| Sandersville Elementary | Fayette County | PK–5 | Primary | 721 |
| Rosa Parks Elementary School | Fayette County | KG–5 | Primary | 706 |
| Morton Middle School | Fayette County | 6–8 | Middle | 705 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$8,810
State avg $6,894
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Fayette County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Fayette County?
How much does Fayette County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Fayette County, Kentucky — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Fayette County, Kentucky?
Fayette County operates a robust system of 80 public schools catering to 41,422 students. The landscape features 41 elementary schools and 20 high schools, making it one of the largest educational infrastructures in the state. This single-district system serves a diverse student body across a primarily urban environment.
How do schools in Fayette County perform academically?
The county invests $8,810 per pupil, which is notably higher than the Kentucky state average of $6,894. These resources contribute to a school score of 56.4, outperforming both the state and national medians. The 88.0% graduation rate also stays ahead of the 87% national average.
What are the major school districts in Fayette County, Kentucky?
Fayette County is the sole district, managing all 41,422 students and 80 individual school sites. Charter schools are not present, meaning 100% of the public options are traditional district-run facilities. This central management oversees massive campuses like Lafayette High School, which alone enrolls over 2,400 students.
What is the school experience like in Fayette County?
With 78 of its 80 schools located in city settings, Fayette County offers a truly metropolitan educational experience. Large-scale high schools dominate the landscape, with Henry Clay and Paul Laurence Dunbar both exceeding 1,900 students. The average school size of 567 reflects the high-density nature of this central Kentucky hub.
How can I find homes near good schools in Fayette County, Kentucky?
For families moving to Lexington, the diversity of city-based schools is a major draw for residential real estate. High-performing high schools like Lafayette and Paul Laurence Dunbar often drive demand in nearby neighborhoods. Investing in a home here means accessing one of the most well-funded school systems in the Commonwealth.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.