Best Schools in Manchester, Kentucky
10 schools · 6 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Manchester?
Use this page to compare every school in Manchester 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.
Burning Springs Elementary
Elementary · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Goose Rock Elementary
Elementary · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Manchester Elementary School
Elementary · Clay County. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Manchester for 2026 are Burning Springs Elementary (9.3/10), Goose Rock Elementary (8.6/10), and Manchester Elementary School (8.4/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 8 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
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$95,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
7.8
out of 10
Median Home
$95,100
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 9.3/10 despite 79% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.5 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 Manchester schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Manchester
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (8 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burning Springs Elementary | 9.3 / 10 |
| 2 | Goose Rock Elementary | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Manchester Elementary School | 8.4 / 10 |
| 4 | Clay County Middle School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 5 | Paces Creek Elementary | 8.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Horse Creek Learning Center | 7.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Clay County High School | 6.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Hacker Elementary School | 5.5 / 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
- 7.8/10
- Median household income
- $39,694
- Median home value
- $95,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 17%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 79%
75% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Manchester compares
Kentucky rank
#5 of 137
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+1.6
above Kentucky avg (6.2)
Median household income
$40k
67% of Kentucky median
Schools in this city
8
About Schools in Manchester, Kentucky
Manchester, Kentucky is home to 10 schools, including 8 public schools and 2 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 7.8 out of 10, schools in Manchester perform strongly on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Manchester is Burning Springs Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Manchester is served by 1 school district: Clay County. These districts collectively serve 2,945 students.
Manchester's community shows 17% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $39,694. The poverty rate in the area is 33.6%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 305 students · Pre-K–6th | 9.3 | ||
| 2 | 224 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.6 | ||
| 3 | 413 students · Pre-K–6th | 8.4 | ||
| 4 | 267 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.2 | ||
| 5 | 273 students · Pre-K–6th | 5.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Appalachian Christian Academy
Private
21 students · Kindergarten–8th | — | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 396 students · 7th–8th | 8.3 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 756 students · 9th–12th | 6.6 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53 students · 3rd–12th | 7.5 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 11 students · 4th–11th | — | ||
Schools in Manchester
Manchester, Kentucky · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$39,694
Median Home Value
$95,100
Median Rent
$713/mo
Population
17,390
College Educated
17%
Homeownership
79%
Avg Commute
28 min
Poverty Rate
33.6%
Community Profile
Manchester has a median household income of $39,694. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,100, with a median rent of $713/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Kentucky
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 2
Resources
School District
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 Manchester, Kentucky
How many schools are in Manchester, Kentucky?
Manchester has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Manchester, Kentucky?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Manchester is 7.8 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 Manchester, Kentucky?
The top-ranked school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is Burning Springs Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best elementary school in Manchester, Kentucky?
The top-ranked elementary school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is Burning Springs Elementary with a composite score of 9.3/10.
What is the best middle school in Manchester, Kentucky?
The top-ranked middle school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is Clay County Middle School with a composite score of 8.3/10.
What is the best high school in Manchester, Kentucky?
The top-ranked high school in Manchester on MySchoolScout is Clay County High School with a composite score of 6.6/10.
How many school districts serve Manchester, Kentucky?
Manchester is served by 1 school district: Clay County.
What is the education level in Manchester, Kentucky?
According to Census data, 17% of adults in Manchester have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Manchester, Kentucky?
The median household income in Manchester is approximately $39,694 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Manchester, Kentucky?
Yes, Manchester has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Manchester, Kentucky?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Manchester is 11.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Manchester, 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.
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.