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Best Nelson County Public High Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 7 public high schools serving 2,185 students in Nelson County, KY.

The top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY are Bardstown High School, Bardstown Alternative School and Thomas Nelson High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.

Nelson County, KY public high schools have an score of 28% (versus the Kentucky public high school average of 33%), and score of 37% (versus the 44% statewide average). High schools in Nelson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public high schools.

Nelson County, KY public high school have a of 94%, which is more than the Kentucky average of 92%.

The school with highest graduation rate is Bardstown High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Kentucky or national school graduation rate statistics.

Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high school average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Best Public High Schools in Nelson County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Bardstown High School

(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 45-49%)
:

Bottom 50%

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400 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8802

Gr: 9-12 | 703 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%

Rank: #22.

Bardstown Alternative School

Alternative School

(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
:

Bottom 50%

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1345 Templin Av
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829

Gr: K-12 | 31 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 42%

Rank: #33.

Thomas Nelson High School

(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 30-34%)
:

Bottom 50%

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150 Generals Blvd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-4650

Gr: 9-12 | 629 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 6%

Rank: #44.

Nelson County High School

(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

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1070 Bloomfield Rd
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7010

Gr: 9-12 | 756 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 11%

Rank: #55.

The Academy At Horizons

Alternative School

(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
:

Bottom 50%

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304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045

Gr: K-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 19%

Rank: n/an/a

Heartland Youth Village

Alternative School

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1013 Granite Drive
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440

Gr: 6-12 | 15 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 13%

Rank: n/an/a

The Up Center

Vocational School

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1060 Bloomfield Rd.
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096

Gr: 6-12

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY?

The top-ranked public high schools in Nelson County, KY include Bardstown High School, Bardstown Alternative School and Thomas Nelson High School.

How many public high schools are located in Nelson County?

7 public high schools are located in Nelson County.

What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County?

Nelson County public high schools minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the Kentucky public high schools average of 29% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Which public high schools in Nelson County are often viewed compared to one another?

Popular comparisons of public high schools in Nelson County include: Thomas Nelson High School vs. Nelson County High School, Nelson County High School vs. Thomas Nelson High School, Bardstown High School vs. Nelson County High School