The Bluegrass State’s educational system has undergone a great deal of reform over the past 25 years, improving testing standards, curriculum, and access to resources in school districts across the state. Nowadays, Kentucky is home to many excellent public school districts.

The top school district in Kentucky is Fort Thomas Independent School District based in Fort Thomas, KY, though it is actually considered part of the Greater Cincinnati area. Fort Thomas Independent School District is exceptional; having been named a “District of Distinction” three times in a row, as well as achieving the honor of being the top-ranked district in Kentucky as assessed by the state government.

Beechwood Independent School District, headquartered in Fort Mitchell, KY, places second on the list. The district’s high school students achieved the highest ACT scores in the state, and both its elementary and high schools have received the Blue Ribbon award in recent years.

Third on the list is Oldham County Schools, a large system of 18 schools, and several specialty centers serving much of Oldham County. The district is one of the largest in the state and continues to grow, with enrollment doubling in the past few years.

Even larger is the fourth place district on the list, Boone County Schools, administering 21 schools with an enrollment of over 17,500 students. All of the schools in the district have been granted accreditation by AdvancEd due to academic excellence.

Campbell County Schools in Campbell County, also near the city of Cincinnati in neighboring Ohio, ranks fifth, overall. The district has received numerous accolades for its academic achievements, including a silver medal from U.S. News and World Report.

Top School Districts in Kentucky, 2018

State RankSchool DistrictState
1Fort Thomas IndependentKentucky
2Beechwood IndependentKentucky
3Oldham CountyKentucky
4Boone CountyKentucky
5Campbell CountyKentucky
6Murray IndependentKentucky
7Daviess CountyKentucky
8Walton-Vero IndependentKentucky
9Hancock CountyKentucky
10Kenton CountyKentucky
11Mccracken CountyKentucky
12Fayette CountyKentucky
13Marshall CountyKentucky
14Boyle CountyKentucky
15Scott CountyKentucky
16Russell IndependentKentucky
17Woodford CountyKentucky
18Spencer CountyKentucky
19Anderson CountyKentucky
20Logan CountyKentucky
21Calloway CountyKentucky
22Meade CountyKentucky
23Henderson CountyKentucky
24Pulaski CountyKentucky
25Corbin IndependentKentucky
26Cloverport IndependentKentucky
27Elizabethtown IndependentKentucky
28Graves CountyKentucky
29Muhlenberg CountyKentucky
30Paintsville IndependentKentucky
31Johnson CountyKentucky
32Shelby CountyKentucky
33Boyd CountyKentucky
34Bourbon CountyKentucky
35Mclean CountyKentucky
36Pikeville IndependentKentucky
37Barren CountyKentucky
38Bullitt CountyKentucky
39Edmonson CountyKentucky
40Ballard CountyKentucky
41Montgomery CountyKentucky
42Marion CountyKentucky
43Bowling Green IndependentKentucky
44Warren CountyKentucky
45Clark CountyKentucky
46Lyon CountyKentucky
47Trigg CountyKentucky
48Laurel CountyKentucky
49Jessamine CountyKentucky
50Owen CountyKentucky
51Hopkins CountyKentucky
52Larue CountyKentucky
53Hardin CountyKentucky
54Simpson CountyKentucky
55Breckinridge CountyKentucky
56Garrard CountyKentucky
57Allen CountyKentucky
58Madison CountyKentucky
59Ohio CountyKentucky
60Mason CountyKentucky
61Glasgow IndependentKentucky
62Union CountyKentucky
63Danville IndependentKentucky
64Erlanger-Elsmere IndependentKentucky
65Taylor CountyKentucky
66Pendleton CountyKentucky
67Crittenden CountyKentucky
68Morgan CountyKentucky
69Green CountyKentucky
70Owensboro IndependentKentucky
71Floyd CountyKentucky
72Harrison CountyKentucky
73Rockcastle CountyKentucky
74Grant CountyKentucky
75Williamstown IndependentKentucky
76Hart CountyKentucky
77Caldwell CountyKentucky
78Ashland IndependentKentucky
79Monroe CountyKentucky
80Wayne CountyKentucky
81Nelson CountyKentucky
82Carter CountyKentucky
83Trimble CountyKentucky
84Bardstown IndependentKentucky
85Franklin CountyKentucky
86Mercer CountyKentucky
87Gallatin CountyKentucky
88Whitley CountyKentucky
89Webster CountyKentucky
90Casey CountyKentucky
91Grayson CountyKentucky
92Adair CountyKentucky
93Washington CountyKentucky
94Raceland-Worthington IndependentKentucky
95Butler CountyKentucky
96Bath CountyKentucky
97Jefferson CountyKentucky
98Russell CountyKentucky
99Harlan IndependentKentucky
100Berea IndependentKentucky

Methodology

The following contributed to the ranking: student performance (math and reading test scores), dropout rates, school funding, and area poverty rates. Data was collected from a total of 9,577 school districts.

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