Below Average
#1189 of 1,284 schools in KY
Nelson County High School
High School · Nelson County
1070 Bloomfield Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
783
Student-Teacher
17:1
Score
4.2
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bardstown
#9 of 12
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#271 of 279
In district
#6 of 11
Nelson County
About Nelson County High School
Nelson County High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Bardstown, Kentucky, with an enrollment of 783 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.0:1, supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, the school is working with room for growth.
In English Language Arts, 40% of students are performing at or above proficiency, while mathematics proficiency stands at 29% across grade levels. The school's MySchoolScout Rating of 3.8/10 reflects these challenges, and it ranks #1107 out of 1288 schools statewide in Kentucky. These metrics suggest the school is focusing on strengthening foundational skills and academic outcomes across its student body.
Located on Bloomfield Road in the town of Bardstown, Nelson County High School serves a community-based population where families are actively seeking educational support for their teenagers.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Nelson County 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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Nelson County High School — Students at Nelson County High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.4%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 6.2/10.
How Nelson County High School Compares
See how Nelson County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 38% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 37% (2022).
Location
1070 Bloomfield Rd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Nelson County High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Bardstown High School (rated 7.9/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Thomas Nelson High School (rated 3.6/10, 4.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bardstown, see our Bardstown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 14.0 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40004 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,222
Median Home Value
$224,600
Median Rent
$946/mo
Population
30,345
College Educated
24.7%
Homeownership
72.2%
Avg Commute
24.1 min
Poverty Rate
10.2%
Median Age
40.5
Community Profile
The community surrounding Nelson County High School has a median household income of $64,222. It is an area where 25% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $224,600, with a median rent of $946/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.2%. The average commute for residents is 24 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 |
|---|---|
| Rockcastle County High School Mount Vernon, KY | 4.2 |
| Caldwell County High School Princeton, KY | 4.3 |
| Pendleton County High School Falmouth, KY | 4.3 |
| Warren East High School Bowling Green, KY | 4.5 |
| Trimble County JR/SR High School Bedford, KY | 3.9 |
| Powell County High School Stanton, KY | 4.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Nelson County High School
What grades does Nelson County High School serve?
Nelson County High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Nelson County High School?
Nelson County High School has an enrollment of approximately 783 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Nelson County High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Nelson County High School is 17:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Nelson County High School rank in KY?
Nelson County High School is ranked #1189 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Nelson County High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Nelson County High School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Nelson County High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Nelson County High School has 29.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Nelson County High School a charter school?
No, Nelson County High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Nelson County High School a Title I school?
No, Nelson County High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nelson County High School?
47.4% of students at Nelson County 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
- City Safety
- High (1,566/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bardstown). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 783
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 47.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Town
- County
- Nelson County
- Phone
- (502) 349-7010
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County- District Enrollment
- 4,412
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #6 of 11
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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