Best Schools in Lexington, Kentucky
100 schools · 57 Elementary · 13 Middle · 20 High · 10 Other
Choosing a school in Lexington?
Use this page to compare every school in Lexington by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Rise Stem Academy for Girls
Elementary · Fayette County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Wellington Elementary
Elementary · Fayette County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School
Middle · Fayette County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Lexington for 2026 are Rise Stem Academy for Girls (9.7/10), Wellington Elementary (9.6/10), and Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School (9.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 50 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
100
74 public · 26 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$294,418
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
100
74 public · 26 private
Avg Score
6.6
out of 10
Median Home
$294,418
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 9.7/10 despite 52% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 3.2 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Lexington schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Lexington
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (50 of 100). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rise Stem Academy for Girls | 9.7 / 10 |
| 2 | Wellington Elementary | 9.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School | 9.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Athens-chilesburg Elementary | 9.4 / 10 |
| 5 | Clays Mill Elementary School | 9.3 / 10 |
| 6 | Scapa at Bluegrass | 9.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Summit Christian Academy | 9.1 / 10 |
| 8 | Brenda Cowan Elementary | 9.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Garrett Morgan Elementary | 8.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Leestown Middle School | 8.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.6/10
- Median household income
- $67,430
- Median home value
- $294,418
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 48%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 51%
49% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Lexington compares
Kentucky rank
#51 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.3
above Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$67k
113% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
86
Education Snapshot
Lexington, KentuckyLexington runs 100 schools across 2 districts, enrolling approximately 48,237 students in a system skewed toward the elementary level — 57 elementary schools versus 20 high schools, 13 middle schools, and 10 combined or alternative programs. On MySchoolScout, the city's composite rating averages 6.6/10 across 86 scored schools, 0.4 points above the Kentucky state average of 6.2/10 and among the stronger marks for mid-size cities in the state. That performance edge aligns with a well-educated, higher-income resident base: median household income is $67,550, roughly 6% above Kentucky's statewide median of $63,665, and 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Two districts overseeing a near-50,000-student system also means administrative infrastructure stays consolidated, which tends to support more consistent curriculum depth and staffing than cities of comparable size split across many smaller jurisdictions.
About Schools in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky has 67 ranked public schools with an average score of 6.8 out of 10 — a solid baseline that puts it ahead of many mid-sized American cities. Nearly half of all ranked schools, 32 out of 67, score 7 or higher, meaning parents have a realistic shot at strong options across multiple parts of the city rather than chasing a handful of outliers.
The top of the rankings is dominated by elementary schools. Brenda Cowan Elementary leads the city with a 9.6 out of 10, the highest score among all ranked public schools here. Ashland Elementary follows at 9.5, with Meadowthorpe Elementary at 9.1, Squires Elementary at 8.9, and Athens-Chilesburg Elementary at 8.8 rounding out the top five. That cluster of high-performing elementaries signals strong foundational options for families with younger children, and the geographic spread across different neighborhoods means proximity to a top-rated school is achievable for many Lexington families.
The 48% rate of schools scoring 7 or above is meaningful context. It tells parents that high performance is not concentrated in just one district pocket — it reflects a reasonably distributed landscape where above-average schools exist in multiple areas of the city. The average score of 6.8 also indicates that even schools outside the top tier tend to perform at a functional, mid-range level rather than falling sharply below expectations.
For parents actively comparing schools, a few practical steps help. Start with the 32 schools scoring 7 or higher and filter by grade level and location to build a realistic shortlist. Families prioritizing elementary education have the strongest options at the very top of the rankings. Because Lexington's performance range is fairly broad — from high-9s down to lower scores — school-by-school research matters more here than relying on city averages alone. Use individual school scores alongside enrollment boundaries and commute logistics to make the most informed decision for your child's specific grade level and needs.
Elementary Schools
57 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 269 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.7 |
| 2 | 604 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.6 |
| 3 | 570 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.4 |
| 4 | 520 students · Kindergarten–5th | 9.3 |
| 5 | 570 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 6 | 780 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.7 |
| 7 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 8 | 645 students · Kindergarten–5th | 8.2 |
| 9 | 458 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 10 | 328 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
Show all 57 elementary schools in Lexington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
13 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,070 students · 6th–8th | 9.4 |
| 2 | 300 students · 4th–8th | 9.1 |
| 3 | 944 students · 6th–8th | 8.5 |
| 4 | 641 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 5 | 985 students · 6th–8th | 7.8 |
| 6 | 720 students · 6th–8th | 7.4 |
| 7 | 757 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 8 | 764 students · 6th–8th | 6.8 |
| 9 | 720 students · 6th–8th | 6.2 |
| 10 | 737 students · 6th–8th | 5.8 |
Show all 13 middle schools in Lexington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
High Schools
20 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,373 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 2 | 1,889 students · 9th–12th | 7.8 |
| 3 | 1,990 students · 9th–12th | 7.4 |
| 4 | 1,719 students · 9th–12th | 7.0 |
| 5 | 444 students · 9th–12th | 6.0 |
| 6 | 305 students · 6th–12th | 5.9 |
| 7 | 2,025 students · 9th–12th | 5.8 |
| 8 | 1,733 students · 9th–12th | 5.7 |
| 9 | 366 students · 6th–12th | 5.1 |
| 10 | 189 students · 8th–12th | 4.6 |
Show all 20 high schools in Lexington
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
10 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 34 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 6.0 | ||
| 2 | 38 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 3.5 | ||
| 3 | 2 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | — | ||
| Private Schools 7 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Summit Christian Academy
Private
165 students · Pre-K–12th | 9.1 | ||
| 2 | Kore Academy
Private
53 students · 1st–12th | 8.5 | ||
| 3 | Sayre School
Private
525 students · Pre-K–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 4 | The Provision School
Private
47 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.3 | ||
| 5 | Trinity Christian Academy
Private
438 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 6 | Lexington Christian Academy
Private
1,190 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 7 | Lexington Christian Academy
Private
1,191 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.7 | ||
Schools in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky · 100 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 11 ZIP codes
Median Income
$67,430
Median Home Value
$294,418
Median Rent
$1,067/mo
Population
298,147
College Educated
48%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Community Profile
Lexington has a median household income of $67,430. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $294,418, with a median rent of $1,067/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 57
- Middle
- 13
- High
- 20
- Other
- 10
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Kentucky
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Lexington, Kentucky
How many schools are in Lexington, Kentucky?
Lexington has 100 schools, including 74 public and 26 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Lexington, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Lexington is 6.6 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Lexington, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Rise Stem Academy for Girls with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best elementary school in Lexington, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Rise Stem Academy for Girls with a composite score of 9.7/10.
What is the best middle school in Lexington, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School with a composite score of 9.4/10.
What is the best high school in Lexington, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Lexington on MySchoolScout is Lafayette High School with a composite score of 7.8/10.
How many school districts serve Lexington, Kentucky?
Lexington is served by 2 school districts: Fayette County, Franklin County.
What is the education level in Lexington, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 48% of adults in Lexington have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Lexington, Kentucky?
The median household income in Lexington is approximately $67,430 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Lexington, Kentucky?
Yes, Lexington has 26 private schools alongside 74 public schools. The top-rated private school is Summit Christian Academy with a score of 9.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Lexington, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Lexington is 11.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Lexington, Kentucky?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Kentucky Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.