Nelson County School District
School District · Bardstown, Kentucky
Avg Rating
5.2
out of 10
Schools
11
5 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
4,412
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Avg Rating
5.2
out of 10
Schools
11
5 elem, 2 mid, 2 high
Enrollment
4,412
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.3:1
Evaluating Nelson County?
A district shares budget, policy, and attendance zones across its schools — use this page to judge Nelson County as a whole, then compare how its individual schools differ.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Coxs Creek Elementary School
Coxs Creek · Elementary. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
Nelson County High School
Bardstown · High. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
The Academy at Horizons
Bardstown · Other. Compare this profile against district averages, level fit, and attendance-zone reality below.
How this district compares
Kentucky rank
#134 of 157
districts by avg. composite
Vs. state average
-1.0
below Kentucky avg
Per-pupil spending
$14,748
+$762 vs Kentucky median
District size
4,412 students
Larger than Kentucky median
The short answer
Nelson County ranks #134 of 157 Kentucky districts by overall school rating. Nelson County's schools with real test data average 5.4/10 across 10 schools. Its top-rated schools are Coxs Creek Elementary School (6.2/10), Nelson County High School (5.9/10), and The Academy at Horizons (5.8/10). Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Rates 6.2/10 despite 45% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 0.9 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 Nelson County schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Nelson County
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite rating using only schools with real test data (10 of 11). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coxs Creek Elementary School | 6.2 / 10 |
| 2 | Nelson County High School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 3 | The Academy at Horizons | 5.8 / 10 |
| 4 | Boston School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 5 | Thomas Nelson High School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 6 | Bloomfield Middle School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 7 | Bloomfield Elementary School | 5.5 / 10 |
| 8 | The New Haven School | 5.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Old Kentucky Home Middle School | 4.2 / 10 |
| 10 | Foster Heights Elementary School | 4.1 / 10 |
See all 11 schools — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
About Nelson County
Nelson County is a Bardstown, Kentucky school district serving 11 schools.The district educates 4,412 students with a student-teacher ratio of 15.3:1. District-level spending was $14,748 per student in fiscal year 2023 (NCES F-33).
With an average rating of 5.2/10, Nelson County demonstrates solid academic performance.
The highest-rated school in the district is Coxs Creek Elementary School, which has a composite score of 6.2/10.
In standardized testing, Nelson County students show an average math proficiency of 38.0% and ELA proficiency of 46.4%.
The district includes 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
District Map
Schools in Nelson County, colored by MySchoolScout rank. Click a pin for details.
District Average Test Scores
Average proficiency across all schools in Nelson County with test data.
Schools in Nelson County
11 schoolsElementary Schools5
District Details
- State
- Kentucky
- City
- Bardstown
- Total Enrollment
- 4,412
- Teachers (FTE)
- 288
- District spending per student
- $14,748NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- Child poverty rate
- 11.7%Census SAIPE · 2024
- District directory year
- 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in Nelson County?
Nelson County has 11 schools in total — 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools. You can explore each school's ratings and details on this page.
What is the average rating for Nelson County?
The average composite rating for Nelson County is 5.2/10. This score is calculated from the individual ratings of all schools with academic data in the district.
What is the district spending per student in Nelson County?
Nelson County's district-level spending was $14,748 per student in fiscal year 2023, according to NCES F-33. This is district context, not an individual-school expense.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Nelson County?
The average student-teacher ratio in Nelson County is 15.3:1.
What is the top-rated school in Nelson County?
Coxs Creek Elementary School is the highest-rated school in Nelson County with a composite score of 6.2/10.
What are the test scores in Nelson County?
Across schools in Nelson County with test data, the average math proficiency is 38.0% and the average ELA (reading/writing) proficiency is 46.4%. These figures represent the percentage of students meeting or exceeding grade-level standards.
How does Nelson County compare to other districts in Kentucky?
Nelson County has an average school rating of 5.2/10 across 11 schools. Families can compare this to other districts in Kentucky by visiting individual district pages. Factors like school size, available programs, and community demographics also play a role in choosing the right fit.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and learning environment — plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context without being factored into the score. Learn more about our rating system on our methodology page.
District Averages
- Overall Rating
- 5.2/10
- Math Proficiency
- 38.0%
- ELA Proficiency
- 46.4%
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 rateOther School Districts in KY
Compare Nelson County with neighboring districts in the state.
- Jefferson County (171)
- Fayette County (79)
- Kentucky Tech System (55)
- Warren County (34)
- Boone County (28)
- Hardin County (27)
- Bullitt County (25)
- Daviess County (24)
- Kenton County (22)
- Madison County (22)
- Oldham County (22)
- Pike County (20)
- Christian County (19)
- Laurel County (19)
- Hopkins County (18)
- Scott County (17)
- Franklin County (16)
- Knox County (15)
- Floyd County (14)
- Jessamine County (14)
- Mccracken County (14)
- Pulaski County (14)
- Shelby County (14)
- Henderson County (13)
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.
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.