Kentucky is the #23 largest school system in the United States, serving 656,857 students across the 1,534 public schools for the 2026 school year (there are 364 private schools, serving 68,177 students). 91% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Kentucky is 39%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 45%.
The top-ranked public schools in Kentucky are Greathouse/shryock Traditional, Scapa At Bluegrass, and Anchorage Independent Public School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 28%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic and the student-teacher ratio is 15:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Kentucky (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Greathouse/shryock Traditional
Magnet School
(Math: 85% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
2700 Browns Lane
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 485-8259
Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 485-8259
Rank: #22.
Scapa At Bluegrass
(Math: 78% | Reading: 84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 78% (Top 1%)
Reading: 84% (Top 1%)
Grades: 4-8
400 Lafayette Pkwy
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 381-3332
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 381-3332
Rank: #33.
Anchorage Independent Public School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 81% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-8
11400 Ridge Rd
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 245-2121
Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 245-2121
Rank: #44.
Sublimity Elementary School
(Math: 85-89% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
900 Sublimity School Rd
London, KY 40744
(606) 862-4692
London, KY 40744
(606) 862-4692
Rank: #55.
Murray Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-3
111 Broach Ave
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-5022
Murray, KY 42071
(270) 753-5022
Rank: #66.
Donald E. Cline Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
5586 E Alexandria Dr
Newport, KY 41076
(859) 781-4544
Newport, KY 41076
(859) 781-4544
Rank: #77.
Dupont Manual High School
Magnet School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 85%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 74% (Top 5%)
Reading: 85% (Top 1%)
Grades: 9-12
120 W Lee St
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 485-8241
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Athens-chilesburg Elementary School
(Math: 75% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75% (Top 5%)
Reading: 76% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-5
930 Jouett Creek Dr
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 381-4955
Lexington, KY 40509
(859) 381-4955
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Cold Hill Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 5%)
Grades: PK-5
4012 W Laurel Rd
London, KY 40741
(606) 862-4632
London, KY 40741
(606) 862-4632
Rank: #8 - 108. - 10.
Norton Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 72% (Top 5%)
Reading: 78% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
8101 Brownsboro Road
Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 485-8308
Louisville, KY 40241
(502) 485-8308
Overview
This State (KY)
# Schools
1,534 Schools
# Students
656,857 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
43,032 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (KY)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
Graduation Rate
90%
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
# American Indian Students
877 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
# Asian Students
13,629 Students
% Asian Students
2%
# Hispanic Students
62,742 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
# Black Students
70,339 Students
% Black Students
11%
# White Students
473,111 Students
% White Students
72%
# Hawaiian Students
1,217 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
# Two or more races Students
34,942 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (KY)
Total Revenue (23-24)
$9,360 MM
Spending (23-24)
$9,189 MM
Revenue / Student (23-24)
$14,250
Spending / Student (23-24)
$13,989
Best Kentucky Public Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: Newburg (9 schools), Picadome (6 schools), Old Louisville (6 schools), Pleasure Ridge Park (6 schools), Hamburg Area (5 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Kentucky?
The top-ranked public schools in Kentucky include Greathouse/shryock Traditional, Scapa At Bluegrass, and Anchorage Independent Public School.
How many public schools are located in Kentucky?
1,534 public schools are located in Kentucky.
What percentage of students in Kentucky go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Kentucky attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Kentucky?
Minority enrollment in Kentucky is 28%, with the majority being Black or Hispanic.
Which public schools in Kentucky are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Kentucky include: Paris High School vs. Bourbon County High School, Williamstown Jr. High School vs. Grant County Middle School, Thomas Nelson High School vs. Nelson County High School
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