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 , serving 71,740 students). 90% 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 91¹û¶³´«Ã½. 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 91¹û¶³´«Ã½
(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)
US
# Schools
1,534 Schools
100,795 Schools
# Students
656,857 Students
49,494,894 Students
Gender %
# Teachers
43,032 Teachers
3,241,124 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
15:1
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (KY)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
38%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
46%
47%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
23%
43%
Graduation Rate
90%
87%
Eligible for Free Lunch
56%
50%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
5%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.46
0.70
# American Indian Students
877 Students
477,337 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
13,629 Students
2,755,585 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
# Hispanic Students
62,742 Students
14,721,043 Students
% Hispanic Students
10%
30%
# Black Students
70,339 Students
7,323,773 Students
% Black Students
11%
15%
# White Students
473,111 Students
21,491,186 Students
% White Students
72%
43%
# Hawaiian Students
1,217 Students
185,312 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
34,942 Students
2,514,798 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
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), Eastside (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 91¹û¶³´«Ã½.
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?
90% 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, Black Mountain Elementary School vs. Evarts Elementary School, Williamstown Jr. High School vs. Grant County Middle School
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