The brief
The top-rated high schools in Louisville for 2026 are Dupont Manual High (9.3/10), Atherton High (8.2/10), and Central High Magnet Career Academy (6.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 25 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Louisville's 27 ranked high schools span a wide range of performance, from duPont Manual High at the top with an 8.8/10 down to schools near the metro average of 6.6/10. That spread gives families real choices — but also real differences worth understanding before enrolling. duPont Manual leads the field, followed closely by Eastern High and Ballard High, both scoring 8.6/10, and Central High Magnet Career Academy at 8.5/10. Taken together, 11 schools — 41% of the ranked list — score 7 or higher, meaning strong options are distributed across the metro rather than concentrated in one pocket. The table below lets you sort by score, school type, and other factors so you can zero in on what matters most for your student.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
- 19.3
- 28.2
- 36.6
- 46.5
- 56.1
- 66.1
- 75.7
- 85.7
- 95.7
- 105.7
All 25 ranked
Every ranked school on the axis, then the ledger.All 25
Rating · students · student-teacher ratio · grades- 1Dupont Manual HighJefferson Countystudents 1,922student-teacher ratio 17.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 2Atherton HighJefferson Countystudents 1,496student-teacher ratio 18.7:1grades 9th–12th
- 3Central High Magnet Career AcademyJefferson Countystudents 1,239student-teacher ratio 15.5:1grades 9th–12th
- 4Ballard HighJefferson Countystudents 2,033student-teacher ratio 19.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 5Mary Jo and William Macdonald MaryhurstJefferson Countystudents 62student-teacher ratio 4.1:1grades 6th–12th
- 6Minor Daniels AcademyJefferson Countystudents 186student-teacher ratio 7.2:1grades 6th–12th
- 7Eastern HighJefferson Countystudents 1,874student-teacher ratio 17.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 8Louisville Male HighJefferson Countystudents 1,904student-teacher ratio 20.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 9Breckinridge Metropolitan HighJefferson Countystudents 92student-teacher ratio 3.4:1grades 7th–12th
- 10The Phoenix School of DiscoveryJefferson Countystudents 395student-teacher ratio 9.2:1grades 6th–12th
- 11Newcomer AcademyJefferson Countystudents 605student-teacher ratio 11.9:1grades 6th–12th
- 12The Academy @ ShawneeJefferson Countystudents 972student-teacher ratio 16.8:1grades 6th–12th
- 13Fern Creek HighJefferson Countystudents 1,588student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 14Valley HighJefferson Countystudents 886student-teacher ratio 15.8:1grades 9th–12th
- 15Liberty HighJefferson Countystudents 131student-teacher ratio 4.4:1grades 7th–12th
- 16Jeffersontown HighJefferson Countystudents 1,096student-teacher ratio 15.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 17Butler Traditional HighJefferson Countystudents 1,406student-teacher ratio 17.6:1grades 9th–12th
- 18Western HighJefferson Countystudents 576student-teacher ratio 12.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 19Marion C. Moore SchoolJefferson Countystudents 2,031student-teacher ratio 14.6:1grades 6th–12th
- 20Pleasure Ridge Park HighJefferson Countystudents 1,615student-teacher ratio 18.4:1grades 9th–12th
- 21Southern HighJefferson Countystudents 1,540student-teacher ratio 17.1:1grades 9th–12th
- 22Doss HighJefferson Countystudents 1,087student-teacher ratio 15.3:1grades 9th–12th
- 23Waggener HighJefferson Countystudents 867student-teacher ratio 14.9:1grades 9th–12th
- 24Seneca HighJefferson Countystudents 1,317student-teacher ratio 15.0:1grades 9th–12th
- 25Iroquois HighJefferson Countystudents 1,146student-teacher ratio 15.1:1grades 9th–12th
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Kentucky education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Kentucky. Learn about our methodology.
The map
The top 25 pinned; open a pin for the campus.Campus by campus
What each of the top ten reports.- 1
Dupont Manual High
Jefferson County
1,922 students · 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 1% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 9.9
- Growth
- 8.9
- Environment
- 8.7
- 2
Atherton High
Jefferson County
1,496 students · 18.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 11% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 9.1
- Growth
- 9.4
- Environment
- 5.0
- 3
Central High Magnet Career Academy
Jefferson County
1,239 students · 15.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 43% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 4.1
- Growth
- 6.8
- Environment
- 6.4
- 4
Ballard High
Jefferson County
2,033 students · 19.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 45% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 6.4
- Growth
- 6.4
- Environment
- 4.3
- 5
Mary Jo and William Macdonald Maryhurst
Jefferson County
62 students · 4.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 54% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 1.7
- Growth
- 7.2
- Environment
- 9.9
- 6
Minor Daniels Academy
Jefferson County
186 students · 7.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 54% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 1.2
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.9
- 7
Eastern High
Jefferson County
1,874 students · 17.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 63% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 4.5
- Growth
- 5.2
- Environment
- 5.4
- 8
Louisville Male High
Jefferson County
1,904 students · 20.9:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 63% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 6.1
- Growth
- 2.2
- Environment
- 4.0
- 9
Breckinridge Metropolitan High
Jefferson County
92 students · 3.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 7th–12th
Top 63% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 1.6
- Growth
- 9.7
- Environment
- 9.9
- 10
The Phoenix School of Discovery
Jefferson County
395 students · 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 63% in Kentucky
- Academics
- 2.7
- Growth
- 8.3
- Environment
- 8.8
Questions
What is the best high school in Louisville, Kentucky?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Dupont Manual High is the top-rated high school in Louisville with a composite score of 9.3/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Louisville, Kentucky?
Louisville has 39 high schools. Of these, 34 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Louisville?
Among 34 Louisville high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Kentucky).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Kentucky, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Kentucky, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
How should I use this ranking?
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Explore more
- Best elementary schools in Louisville2026 rankings and ratings
- Best middle schools in Louisville2026 rankings and ratings
- All 236 schools in LouisvilleElementary, middle and high
- Kentucky schoolsStatewide rankings and city comparisons
- Our methodologyHow we calculate school ratings