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Average

#759 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

5.9

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#759 of 1,284

In Bardstown

#5 of 12

public schools

In district

#2 of 11

Nelson County

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very Good

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Nelson County High School

5.9/10

High School in Bardstown · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Old Kentucky Home Middle School

4.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

The Academy at Horizons

5.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Nelson County High School

Nelson County High School is a public high school in Bardstown, KY, part of Nelson County. Nelson County High School serves approximately 783 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17:1 student-teacher ratio. Nelson County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10 and ranks #759 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Nelson County High School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it comparesOn par with district
  • This school 5.9 · Average
  • District avg 5.7
  • KY avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendStable
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency38% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency45% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency42% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)49% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-7.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness5.4Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate92%
AP Participation4.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.1Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,748
Chronic Absenteeism28.7%

Nelson County High School — Students at Nelson County High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 33.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 50.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 31 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
35%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
10%
ELA
54%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
52%
2013
Math
32%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
63%
2015
Math
44%
ELA
59%
2016
Math
37%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
42%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
38%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
27%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
38%
ELA
45%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Nelson County High School Compares

See how Nelson County High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in KY
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
7.6/10
Very Good
Environment
5.1/10
Average
AP Courses
4
State avg: 2.6
Sports
21
11 boys' · 10 girls'
Advanced STEM
5/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
28.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs4 AP courses offered
4.5% participation·State avg: 2.6 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics21sports offered
11 boys'·10 girls'·31 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses5 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 6.3/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bardstown High School (rated 6.1/10, 2.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, Thomas Nelson High School (rated 5.5/10, 4.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bardstown, see our Bardstown schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Old Kentucky Home Middle School Bardstown 0.2 mi 4.2
The Academy at Horizons Bardstown 0.3 mi 5.8
Nelson County Early Learning Center Bardstown 1.7 mi 3.9
Bardstown High School Bardstown 2.7 mi 6.1
Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown 2.8 mi 4.1
Bardstown Middle School Bardstown 2.7 mi 6.8
Bardstown Early Childhood Center Bardstown 2.7 mi 3.1
Bardstown Primary School Bardstown 2.7 mi 6.2
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Bardstown 2.9 mi 4.0
BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE Bardstown 2.9 mi 6.3
Bardstown Elementary School Bardstown 3.1 mi 8.3
Bardstown Alternative School Bardstown 3.1 mi 4.1
Coxs Creek Elementary School Coxs Creek 4.8 mi 6.2
Thomas Nelson High School Bardstown 4.7 mi 5.5
NELSON COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Bardstown 5.3 mi 7.3
ST GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coxs Creek 6.9 mi 5.2
Bloomfield Middle School Bloomfield 8.7 mi 5.5
Bloomfield Elementary School Bloomfield 8.8 mi 5.5
Spencer County Middle School Taylorsville 14.0 mi 5.8
Spencer County Elementary School Taylorsville 14.0 mi 6.9

Neighborhood 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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Bourbon County High School Paris, KY 5.9
Lawrence County High School Louisa, KY 5.9
Lincoln County High School Stanford, KY 5.9
ASSUMPTION HIGH SCHOOL Louisville, KY 6.0
Calloway County High School Murray, KY 6.0
Greenup County High School Greenup, KY 6.0

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 ranks #759 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Nelson County High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nelson County High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Nelson County High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nelson County High School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
18 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
28.7%
4-Year Graduation
92.0%

District

Nelson County
District Enrollment
4,412
Schools in District
13
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,748
District Rank
#2 of 11

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