Average
#873 of 1,284 schools in KY
Thomas Nelson High School
High School · Nelson County
150 Generals Blvd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#873 of 1,284
In Bardstown
#7 of 12
public schools
In district
#7 of 11
Nelson County
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Thomas Nelson High School
High School in Bardstown · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Nelson County Baptist School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bardstown Alternative School
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Thomas Nelson High School
Thomas Nelson High School is a public high school in Bardstown, KY, part of Nelson County. Thomas Nelson High School serves approximately 643 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Thomas Nelson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 out of 10 and ranks #873 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Thomas Nelson High School show 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
- This school 5.5 · Average
- District avg 5.7
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Thomas Nelson High School runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Thomas Nelson High 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.
32% of students at Thomas Nelson High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Thomas Nelson High School — Students at Thomas Nelson High School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 26 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: 5.9/10.
How Thomas Nelson High School Compares
See how Thomas Nelson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
150 Generals Blvd, Bardstown, KY 40004
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Thomas Nelson High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 6.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Bardstown High School (rated 6.1/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, Nelson County High School (rated 5.9/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bardstown, see our Bardstown schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| NELSON COUNTY BAPTIST SCHOOL Bardstown | 0.7 mi | 7.3 |
| Bardstown Alternative School Bardstown | 2.0 mi | 4.1 |
| Bardstown Elementary School Bardstown | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| Bardstown Primary School Bardstown | 2.4 mi | 6.2 |
| Bardstown Early Childhood Center Bardstown | 2.5 mi | 3.1 |
| ST GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coxs Creek | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Bardstown Middle School Bardstown | 2.9 mi | 6.8 |
| Bardstown High School Bardstown | 3.0 mi | 6.1 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Bardstown | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE Bardstown | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| Coxs Creek Elementary School Coxs Creek | 3.6 mi | 6.2 |
| Nelson County Early Learning Center Bardstown | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown | 3.6 mi | 4.1 |
| The Academy at Horizons Bardstown | 4.4 mi | 5.8 |
| Old Kentucky Home Middle School Bardstown | 4.4 mi | 4.2 |
| Nelson County High School Bardstown | 4.7 mi | 5.9 |
| Boston School Boston | 9.1 mi | 5.7 |
| Bernheim Middle School Shepherdsville | 10.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Spring Meadows Mt. Washington | 13.6 mi | — |
| MT. Washington Elementary Mount Washington | 13.6 mi | 5.8 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Betsy Layne High School Betsy Layne, KY | 5.5 |
| Carroll County High School Carrollton, KY | 5.5 |
| LaRue County High School Hodgenville, KY | 5.5 |
| Owen County High School Owenton, KY | 5.5 |
| Belfry High School Belfry, KY | 5.6 |
| Hopkins County Central High School Madisonville, KY | 5.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thomas Nelson High School
What grades does Thomas Nelson High School serve?
Thomas Nelson High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Thomas Nelson High School?
Thomas Nelson High School has an enrollment of approximately 643 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Thomas Nelson High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Nelson High School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Thomas Nelson High School rank in KY?
Thomas Nelson High School ranks #873 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Thomas Nelson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Nelson High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.5 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 Thomas Nelson High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Thomas Nelson High School has 38% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2012-2025).
Is Thomas Nelson High School a charter school?
No, Thomas Nelson High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Thomas Nelson High School a Title I school?
No, Thomas Nelson High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Thomas Nelson High School?
42.0% of students at Thomas Nelson 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.
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 643
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Nelson County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.2%
- Phone
- (502) 349-4650
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County- District Enrollment
- 4,412
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #7 of 11
Other Schools in This District
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