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Below Average

#1093 of 1,284 schools in KY

Nicholas County Elementary School

Elementary School · Nicholas County

133 SCHOOL DRIVE, Carlisle, KY 40311

Enrollment

645

Student-Teacher

16.1:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,093 of 1,284

In Carlisle

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

Nicholas County

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Nicholas County Elementary School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Carlisle · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Nicholas County High School

6.9/10

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

North Middletown Elementary School

4.3/10

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

About Nicholas County Elementary School

Nicholas County Elementary School is a public elementary school in Carlisle, KY, part of Nicholas County. Nicholas County Elementary School serves approximately 645 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Nicholas County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,093 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Nicholas County Elementary School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.9 pts below KY schools
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Nicholas County Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29.5% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency33.2% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency31% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-8.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile22th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,359
Chronic Absenteeism26.2%

Nicholas County Elementary School — Students at Nicholas County Elementary School score 31% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 37.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 44.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 38 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
61%
ELA
65%
2010
Math
73%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
40%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
46%
2014
Math
43%
ELA
52%
2015
Math
45%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
41%
ELA
51%
2017
Math
31%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2019
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2020*
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
29%
2022
Math
30%
ELA
35%
2025
Math
29.5%
ELA
33.3%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Nicholas County Elementary School Compares

See how Nicholas County Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
15th percentile in KY
Academic
4.1/10
Below Average
Growth
4.5/10
Below Average
Environment
4.8/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

Programs & Offerings

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

133 SCHOOL DRIVE, Carlisle, KY 40311

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Nicholas County Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Northview Elementary (rated 8.3/10, 16.7 miles away, in nearby Mount Sterling), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST MARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Paris), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Mapleton Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Mt. Sterling), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Carlisle, see our Carlisle schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Nicholas County High School Carlisle 0.1 mi 6.9
North Middletown Elementary School North Middletown 12.3 mi 4.3
Robertson County School Mount Olivet 14.8 mi 6.9
Ewing Elementary School Ewing 12.9 mi 5.5
Cane Ridge Elementary School Paris 12.9 mi 4.2
Paris High School Paris 13.8 mi 5.6
Paris Middle School Paris 13.8 mi 4.8
ST MARY SCHOOL Paris 14.0 mi 7.0
Northview Elementary Mount Sterling 16.7 mi 8.3
Paris Elementary School Paris 14.3 mi 4.1
Paris Preschool Center Paris 14.3 mi 3.4
Eastside Elementary School Cynthiana 14.1 mi 4.0
Harrison County Middle School Cynthiana 14.3 mi 4.7
Southside Elementary School Cynthiana 14.5 mi 5.1
Bourbon County High School Paris 15.3 mi 5.9
Harrison County Learning Center Cynthiana 14.6 mi
Harrison County High School Cynthiana 14.7 mi 6.6
Mapleton Elementary School Mt. Sterling 18.1 mi 6.5
Bourbon County Middle School Paris 15.4 mi 4.4
Northside Elementary School Cynthiana 15.3 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40311 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,741

Median Home Value

$124,700

Median Rent

$642/mo

Population

7,676

College Educated

11.2%

Homeownership

71.1%

Avg Commute

37.3 min

Poverty Rate

16.1%

Median Age

39

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Camargo Elementary School Mt. Sterling, KY 4.4
Coral Ridge Elementary Fairdale, KY 4.4
East View Elementary School Owensboro, KY 4.4
Julius Marks Elementary School Lexington, KY 4.4
Layne Elementary Louisville, KY 4.4
Medora Elementary Louisville, KY 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nicholas County Elementary School

What grades does Nicholas County Elementary School serve?

Nicholas County Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Nicholas County Elementary School?

Nicholas County Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 645 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Nicholas County Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Nicholas County Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Nicholas County Elementary School rank in KY?

Nicholas County Elementary School ranks #1,093 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Nicholas County Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Nicholas County Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 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 Nicholas County Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Nicholas County Elementary School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 44% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Nicholas County Elementary School a charter school?

No, Nicholas County Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Nicholas County Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Nicholas County Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Nicholas County Elementary School?

69.3% of students at Nicholas County Elementary 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
28 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
20 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
645
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Nicholas County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
26.2%

District

Nicholas County
District Enrollment
1,091
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,359
District Rank
#2 of 2

Other Schools in This District

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