Needs Improvement
#1248 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
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
643
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bardstown
#10 of 12
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#277 of 279
In district
#7 of 11
Nelson County
About Thomas Nelson High School
Thomas Nelson High School is a regular public high school located in the heart of Bardstown, Kentucky, with an enrollment of 643 students. The student body ranges from ninth to twelfth grade, and they are taught by a dedicated team of 29 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 22.2:1. Situated in a rural area near the town, Thomas Nelson High School offers a warm and welcoming community atmosphere for its students.
The school’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.7 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the third percentile among Kentucky schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 42% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 37% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate that there is room for academic growth and improvement.
Thomas Nelson High School thrives within its rural setting near Bardstown, fostering a close-knit community where teachers and students work together to enhance learning experiences and personal development.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Thomas Nelson High School is 22.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Thomas Nelson High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Thomas Nelson High School — Students at Thomas Nelson High School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
42%
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: 3.4/10.
How Thomas Nelson High School Compares
See how Thomas Nelson High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 32% (2022).
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. Bardstown High School (rated 7.9/10, 3.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BETHLEHEM HIGH SCHOOL/DIOCESE (rated 6.3/10, 3.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Nelson County High School (rated 4.2/10, 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 | 5.9 |
| Bardstown Elementary School Bardstown | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| Bardstown Primary School Bardstown | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| Bardstown Early Childhood Center Bardstown | 2.5 mi | 4.9 |
| ST GREGORY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Coxs Creek | 2.7 mi | 5.2 |
| Bardstown Middle School Bardstown | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Bardstown High School Bardstown | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| 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 | 3.3 |
| Nelson County Early Learning Center Bardstown | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown | 3.6 mi | 3.5 |
| The Academy at Horizons Bardstown | 4.4 mi | 6.7 |
| Old Kentucky Home Middle School Bardstown | 4.4 mi | 3.4 |
| Nelson County High School Bardstown | 4.7 mi | 4.2 |
| Boston School Boston | 9.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Bernheim Middle School Shepherdsville | 10.9 mi | 4.1 |
| Spring Meadows Mt. Washington | 13.6 mi | — |
| MT. Washington Elementary Mount Washington | 13.6 mi | 6.5 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Thomas Nelson 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 |
|---|---|
| Bracken County High School Brooksville, KY | 3.5 |
| Lee County Middle High School Beattyville, KY | 3.7 |
| Fleming County High School Flemingsburg, KY | 3.8 |
| Trimble County JR/SR High School Bedford, KY | 3.9 |
| Nelson County High School Bardstown, KY | 4.2 |
| Rockcastle County High School Mount Vernon, KY | 4.2 |
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 is ranked #1248 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Thomas Nelson High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Thomas Nelson High School has a composite rating of 3.6 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 Thomas Nelson High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Thomas Nelson High School has 37.0% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
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
- 643
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 42.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Nelson County
- Phone
- (502) 349-4650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Nelson County- District Enrollment
- 4,412
- Schools in District
- 13
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,748
- District Rank
- #7 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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