For the 2025-26 school year, there are 14 public elementary schools serving 4,589 students in Nelson County, KY.
The top ranked public elementary schools in Nelson County, KY are Bardstown Elementary School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown Alternative School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Nelson County, KY public elementary schools have an average math proficiency score of 30% (versus the Kentucky public elementary school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 45% statewide average). Elementary schools in Nelson County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Kentucky public elementary schools.
Minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public elementary school average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Best Public Elementary Schools in Nelson County (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Bardstown Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1345 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8801
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8801
Gr: 2-5 | 841 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 36%
Rank: #22.
Bardstown Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
410 N 5th St
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8803
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8803
Gr: 6-8 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
Rank: #33.
Bardstown Alternative School
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1345 Templin Av
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8829
Gr: K-12 | 37 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #44.
Coxs Creek Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
5635 Louisville Rd
Coxs Creek, KY 40013
(502) 349-7050
Coxs Creek, KY 40013
(502) 349-7050
Gr: K-5 | 478 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 10%
Rank: #55.
Boston School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
130 Wilson Creek Rd
Boston, KY 40107
(502) 833-4644
Boston, KY 40107
(502) 833-4644
Gr: K-8 | 346 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #66.
Bloomfield Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
360 Arnold Lane
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7211
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7211
Gr: K-5 | 230 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #77.
Bloomfield Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
96 Arnold Ln
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7201
Bloomfield, KY 40008
(502) 349-7201
Gr: 6-8 | 305 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: #88.
Old Kentucky Home Middle School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
301 Wildcat Ln
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7040
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7040
Gr: 6-8 | 391 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 11%
Rank: #99.
Foster Heights Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
211 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7030
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7030
Gr: K-5 | 624 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #1010.
The Academy At Horizons
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
304 Wildcat Lane
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7045
Gr: K-12 | 52 students Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 Minority enrollment: 17%
Rank: #1111.
The New Haven School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 18%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
489 High St
New Haven, KY 40051
(502) 349-7232
New Haven, KY 40051
(502) 349-7232
Gr: K-8 | 322 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: n/an/a
1000 Templin Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8810
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 331-8810
Gr: K-1 | 406 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Heartland Youth Village
Alternative School
1013 Granite Drive
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 849-3440
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
The Up Center
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Rd.
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Gr: 6-12
Nelson County 51³Ô¹ÏÍøºÚÁÏ (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
100 Broadway
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Chaplin, KY 40012
(502) 349-7220
Gr: PK-5 | 133 students Minority enrollment: 8%
Nelson County Area Technology Center (Closed 2023)
Vocational School
1060 Bloomfield Road
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 348-9096
Gr: 8-12
219 E Muir Ave
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Bardstown, KY 40004
(502) 349-7220
Gr: 4-5 | 231 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 3%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public elementary schools in Nelson County, KY?
The top ranked public elementary schools in Nelson County, KY include Bardstown Elementary School, Bardstown Middle School and Bardstown Alternative School.
How many public elementary schools are located in Nelson County?
14 public elementary schools are located in Nelson County.
What is the racial composition of students in Nelson County?
Nelson County public elementary schools minority enrollment is 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the Kentucky public elementary schools average of 28% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Which public elementary schools in Nelson County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public elementary schools in Nelson County include: Bloomfield Middle School vs. Old Kentucky Home Middle School, Old Kentucky Home Middle School vs. Bloomfield Middle School, Bardstown Primary School vs. Foster Heights Elementary School
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