Best school districts in Kentucky

A good school can lead to a lifetime of opportunities. Myriad data shows that lifetime earnings dramatically increase with every degree obtained. Bachelor's degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice, and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.

For many families, the school district is a top criteria when deciding where to buy a home. But this consideration and ability to choose is not a luxury all families can afford, especially in today's wildly competitive housing market.

One important proxy of a quality education is per-student spending. According to the most recent Census data available, the national average per-pupil expenditure in fiscal year 2019 was $13,187. Several recent studies suggest that increased spending per student correlates with higher academic achievement, particularly in districts serving predominantly low-income students. Since public schools are largely funded by property taxes, schools in low-income areas suffer the most from a lack of funding for critical expenditures like staff salaries and benefits, transportation, instructional resources, and support services.

There are more than 13,000 school districts in the U.S., each one slightly different, for better or worse, than the next. However, several common denominators exist and, when compared, can serve as indicators of what makes an impactful district.

Stacker compiled a list of the best school districts in Kentucky using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks school districts based on a variety of criteria including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities.

#10. Elizabethtown Independent Schools (Elizabethtown)
- Number of schools: 6 (2,520 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (62% reading proficient and 51% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $55,325 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)

#9. Hazard Independent Schools (Hazard)
- Number of schools: 5 (991 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (59% reading proficient and 48% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $50,704 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)

#8. Russell Independent Schools (Flatwoods)
- Number of schools: 4 (2,297 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (67% reading proficient and 62% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $53,703 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)

#7. Oldham County Public Schools (Buckner)
- Number of schools: 21 (12,941 students)
- Graduation rate: 97% (69% reading proficient and 63% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $52,763 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)

#6. Pikeville Independent Schools (Pikeville)
- Number of schools: 2 (1,161 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (72% reading proficient and 68% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $60,165 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)

#5. McCracken County Public Schools (Paducah)
- Number of schools: 14 (7,223 students)
- Graduation rate: 94% (67% reading proficient and 56% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $57,529 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)

#4. Boyle County Schools (Danville)
- Number of schools: 7 (2,817 students)
- Graduation rate: 98% (75% reading proficient and 67% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $38,679 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)

#3. Murray Independent Schools (Murray)
- Number of schools: 4 (1,834 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (77% reading proficient and 73% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $49,639 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)

#2. Fort Thomas Independent Schools (Fort Thomas)
- Number of schools: 5 (3,177 students)
- Graduation rate: 99% (77% reading proficient and 70% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $61,062 (17:1 student to teacher ratio)

#1. Beechwood Independent Schools (Fort Mitchell)
- Number of schools: 3 (1,502 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (73% reading proficient and 68% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $53,581 (18:1 student to teacher ratio)