For the 2026 school year, there are 15 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 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Shelby County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Simpsonville Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
6725 Shelbyville Rd
Simpsonville, KY 40067
(502) 722-8855
Simpsonville, KY 40067
(502) 722-8855
Gr: K-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 27%
Rank: #22.
Heritage Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
8300 Frankfort Rd
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5242
Waddy, KY 40076
(502) 829-5242
Gr: K-5 | 389 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 14%
Rank: #33.
Shelby County East Middle School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
600 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-1478
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-1478
Gr: 6-8 | 556 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 28%
Rank: #44.
Ascension Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1361 Frankfort Rd.
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4677
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4677
Gr: 7-12 | 32 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #55.
Marnel C. Moorman School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
501 Discovery Boulevard
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-0204
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-0204
Gr: K-8 | 781 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #66.
Wright Elementary School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
500 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5222
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5222
Gr: K-5 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #77.
Martha Layne Collins High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
801 Discovery Blvd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-1160
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-1160
Gr: 9-12 | 1,208 student Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #88.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
728 Ginkgo Dr
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4460
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4460
Gr: K-5 | 417 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #99.
Shelby County High School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1701 Frankfort Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2344
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2344
Gr: 9-12 | 998 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 38%
Rank: #1010.
Painted Stone Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
150 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4505
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 647-4505
Gr: K-5 | 465 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1111.
Shelby County West Middle School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
100 Warriors Way
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4869
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-4869
Gr: 6-8 | 552 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1212.
Clear Creek Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 23%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
279 Chapel Hill Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Gr: K-5 | 426 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: n/an/a
821 College Street
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5123
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-5123
Gr: PK | 206 students Student-teacher ratio: 29:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
Shelby County Area Technology Center
Vocational School
230 Rocket Lane
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6554
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-6554
Gr: 8-12
Rank: n/an/a
1155 West Main Street
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Gr: K-12
Shelby County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Shelby County Diploma Recovery (Closed 2016)
Alternative School
1701 Frankfort Rd
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40066
(502) 633-2375
279 Chapel Hill Road
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-3452
Gr: PK | 70 students Student-teacher ratio: 70:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Shelby County Public Schools Home School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1155 West Main St
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2375
Shelbyville, KY 40065
(502) 633-2375
Gr: K-12 | 240 students Minority enrollment: 2%
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 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public schools in Shelby County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Shelby County include: Martha Layne Collins High School vs. Shelby County High School, Shelby County West Middle School vs. Shelby County East Middle School, Shelby County High School vs. Martha Layne Collins High School
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