Very Good
#237 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 18% in state
Holmes High School
High School · Covington Independent
25th & Madison, Covington, KY 41014
Enrollment
898
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
898
Student-Teacher
15:1
Score
7.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Covington
#4 of 11
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#47 of 279
In district
#3 of 9
Covington Independent
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Holmes High School
Holmes High School serves 898 students in grades 9-12 in Covington, Kentucky, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.0:1 and 60 full-time equivalent teachers. Located at 25th & Madison in Kenton County, this regular public school operates within a community where families are working to build opportunities for their children. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in core subjects.
Currently, 21% of students perform at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 15% reach proficiency in Mathematics. Holmes High School ranks in the 6th percentile among Kentucky's high schools, indicating the need for continued focus on improving educational outcomes and supporting student achievement. The school draws from a diverse community in the 41014 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $51,919 and median home values average $130,400.
About 26% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 27.7% of families navigate economic challenges. Despite these circumstances, the community of approximately 7,135 residents demonstrates resilience and commitment to their neighborhood. Holmes High School sits in Covington's large suburban setting, serving as an important educational anchor for families in this northern Kentucky community just across the river from Cincinnati.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Holmes High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Holmes High School — Students at Holmes High School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How Holmes High School Compares
See how Holmes High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 15% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 21% (2022).
Location
25th & Madison, Covington, KY 41014
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Holmes High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Ft Wright Elementary School (rated 9.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Newport Primary School (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Newport), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, John G Carlisle Elementary (rated 8.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Covington, see our Covington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Holmes Middle School Covington | 0.0 mi | 6.4 |
| Covington Adult High School Covington | 0.1 mi | — |
| Sixth District Elementary School Covington | 0.6 mi | 6.6 |
| HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Covington | 0.8 mi | 8.0 |
| Ninth District Elementary Covington | 0.7 mi | 5.8 |
| ST AUGUSTINE SCHOOL Covington | 0.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Glenn O Swing Elementary Covington | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| HOLY CROSS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Covington | 0.9 mi | 5.8 |
| Latonia Elementary School Covington | 1.2 mi | 6.9 |
| Biggs Early Childhood Education Ctr Covington | 1.2 mi | 5.5 |
| COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL Covington | 1.3 mi | 7.8 |
| John G Carlisle Elementary Covington | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| PRINCE OF PEACE CATHOLIC MONTESSORI Covington | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Newport Primary School Newport | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| ST ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Taylor Mill | 1.8 mi | 5.6 |
| Newport Intermediate School Newport | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Newport School of Innovation Newport | 1.9 mi | 4.3 |
| Ft Wright Elementary School Covington | 1.6 mi | 9.0 |
| Newport Regional School Newport | 2.0 mi | — |
| Southgate Public School Southgate | 1.7 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 41014 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$56,148
Median Home Value
$149,400
Median Rent
$979/mo
Population
7,118
College Educated
28.4%
Homeownership
52.2%
Avg Commute
20.7 min
Poverty Rate
27.4%
Median Age
33.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Holmes High School has a median household income of $56,148. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $149,400, with a median rent of $979/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Christian County High School Hopkinsville, KY | 7.5 |
| Letcher County Central High School Whitesburg, KY | 7.5 |
| Hopkinsville High School Hopkinsville, KY | 7.6 |
| Glasgow High School Glasgow, KY | 7.3 |
| Harrison County High School Cynthiana, KY | 7.7 |
| Jeffersontown High Louisville, KY | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Holmes High School
What grades does Holmes High School serve?
Holmes High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Holmes High School?
Holmes High School has an enrollment of approximately 898 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Holmes High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Holmes High School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Holmes High School rank in KY?
Holmes High School is ranked #237 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Holmes High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Holmes High School has a composite rating of 7.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Holmes High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Holmes High School has 13.0% math proficiency and 20.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Holmes High School a charter school?
No, Holmes High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Holmes High School a Title I school?
No, Holmes High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Holmes High School?
81.8% of students at Holmes High School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 43 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 32 Somewhat Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (1,930/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Covington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 898
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 60
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Kenton County
- Phone
- (859) 655-9545
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Covington Independent- District Enrollment
- 3,585
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $16,918
- District Rank
- #3 of 9
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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