Nelson County Schools & Education
Nelson County, Kentucky
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
58/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
93.4%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 93.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,971
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
#57
of 120 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Nelson County
School Verdict
Nelson County performs at an average level with a school score of 58/100 and a solid graduation rate of 93.4%.
Funding Context
At $6,971 per pupil, Nelson County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Nelson County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% above the Kentucky average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 0.4 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 1% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Nelson County, Kentucky
A Robust Dual-District System
Nelson County supports 7,133 students through a network of 19 public schools across two distinct districts. The infrastructure includes seven elementary, three middle, and six high schools, providing a diverse range of educational pathways for the community.
Competitive Scores and Solid Funding
Nelson County matches the Kentucky state average school score exactly at 55.3, while outperforming the national graduation rate at 93.4%. Local investment stands at $6,971 per pupil, which is higher than the state average and helps drive these competitive results.
Nelson County and Bardstown Independent Districts
The Nelson County district is the largest, serving 4,420 students, while Bardstown Independent serves another 2,713 students. Charter schools do not currently operate in either district, as traditional public schools comprise 100% of the local options.
Town-Centered Schools in a Rural Landscape
The county features a mix of 11 rural and 8 town-based schools, with an average enrollment of 420 students per campus. Bardstown Elementary is the largest school with 795 students, while many of the rural primary schools offer a smaller, close-knit learning environment.
Invest in a Home Near Bardstown Excellence
Prospective homeowners often prioritize the highly-regarded Bardstown Independent or Nelson County districts when searching for property. Proximity to major campuses like Nelson County High or Foster Heights Elementary remains a key factor for families moving to the area.
School Overview
Total Schools
19
in Nelson County
Total Enrollment
7,133
students
School Districts
2
districts
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
2 School Districts in Nelson County
Nelson County
Bardstown Independent
19 Public Schools in Nelson County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bardstown Elementary School | Bardstown Independent | 2–5 | Primary | 795 |
| Nelson County High School | Nelson County | 9–12 | High | 784 |
| Foster Heights Elementary School | Nelson County | KG–5 | Primary | 674 |
| Thomas Nelson High School | Nelson County | 9–12 | High | 669 |
| Bardstown High School | Bardstown Independent | 9–12 | High | 655 |
| Bardstown Middle School | Bardstown Independent | 6–8 | Middle | 575 |
| Coxs Creek Elementary School | Nelson County | KG–5 | Primary | 446 |
| Bardstown Primary School | Bardstown Independent | KG–1 | Primary | 386 |
| Old Kentucky Home Middle School | Nelson County | 6–8 | Middle | 368 |
| Boston School | Nelson County | KG–8 | Primary | 361 |
| Bloomfield Middle School | Nelson County | 6–8 | Middle | 352 |
| The New Haven School | Nelson County | KG–8 | Primary | 345 |
| Bardstown Early Childhood Center | Bardstown Independent | PK | Other | 271 |
| Bloomfield Elementary School | Nelson County | KG–5 | Primary | 250 |
| Nelson County Early Learning Center | Nelson County | PK | Other | 141 |
| Bardstown Alternative School | Bardstown Independent | 6–12 | Alternative | 31 |
| The Academy at Horizons | Nelson County | KG–12 | Alternative | 30 |
| Nelson County Area Technology Center | Kentucky Tech System | 8–12 | Vocational | 0 |
| THE UP CENTER | Nelson County | 6–12 | Vocational | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,971
State avg $6,894
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Nelson County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Nelson County?
How much does Nelson County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Nelson County, Kentucky — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Nelson County, Kentucky?
Nelson County supports 7,133 students through a network of 19 public schools across two distinct districts. The infrastructure includes seven elementary, three middle, and six high schools, providing a diverse range of educational pathways for the community.
How do schools in Nelson County perform academically?
Nelson County matches the Kentucky state average school score exactly at 55.3, while outperforming the national graduation rate at 93.4%. Local investment stands at $6,971 per pupil, which is higher than the state average and helps drive these competitive results.
What are the major school districts in Nelson County, Kentucky?
The Nelson County district is the largest, serving 4,420 students, while Bardstown Independent serves another 2,713 students. Charter schools do not currently operate in either district, as traditional public schools comprise 100% of the local options.
What is the school experience like in Nelson County?
The county features a mix of 11 rural and 8 town-based schools, with an average enrollment of 420 students per campus. Bardstown Elementary is the largest school with 795 students, while many of the rural primary schools offer a smaller, close-knit learning environment.
How can I find homes near good schools in Nelson County, Kentucky?
Prospective homeowners often prioritize the highly-regarded Bardstown Independent or Nelson County districts when searching for property. Proximity to major campuses like Nelson County High or Foster Heights Elementary remains a key factor for families moving to the area.
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.