Where are the best high schools in KY? Ranking says 2 in Fayette County are among top
Two Lexington high schools have been recognized among the top 10 best performing in Kentucky, according to 2025 rankings from Niche, a popular reviewing website for K-12 schools and universities.
According to Niche, it draws from user reviews and public data sources, such as federal education data, to assign grades to schools for academics, college prep and other student success factors.
This year, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and Lafayette High School earned spots among the best 10 public high schools in Kentucky. Both schools earned high marks for academic performance while serving diverse student populations, according to Niche’s analysis.
“We are proud that two of our schools have been recognized among the ‘Best in Kentucky’ by Niche.com. This honor reflects strong academic metrics and positive feedback from students and families. However, it’s important to understand how Niche determines its rankings,” Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said in a statement.
“Niche uses a combination of public data, including test scores and graduation rates, along with subjective reviews from students, parents, and staff,” Liggins’ statement continued. “While this provides a broad perspective, the methodology has limitations. Rankings can be influenced by response rates, socioeconomic factors, and community engagement with the platform. Schools that perform well in ways not captured by Niche’s formula—such as student growth, innovative programs, or unique learning environments—may not appear on the list, despite offering exceptional education.”
Liggins added that, “we celebrate our recognized schools while reaffirming that all 70 of our schools provide high-quality learning experiences. A single ranking system does not define excellence.”
Statewide, spring 2024 state test results show Kentucky’s schools are making some progress in recovering from COVID-era learning loss, but there’s more work to be done. Only about a quarter of public schools in Kentucky were able to report more than 50% of their students scored proficient or distinguished on state mathematics tests last spring. In reading, that number was only about 45%.
Here’s a look at the standout public high schools in Kentucky and how they stack up, according to Niche rankings.
1. DuPont Manual High School
Address: 120 West Lee St., Louisville
DuPont Manual is a public magnet school in Louisville with 1,929 students in grades nine through 12. Its student-to-teacher ratio is 18-to-1. According to state test scores, 78% of students are at least proficient in math. In reading, that figure is 85%. Along with an overall Niche grade of A+, the school has an A+ for academics, teachers, college prep, clubs and activities and diversity.
2. The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
Address: 1509 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green
The Gatton Academy is a residential two-year STEM program for gifted high school juniors and seniors. It’s located on the campus of Western Kentucky University and has about 180 students. Along with being the second-best high school in Kentucky, according to Niche, it excels with across-the-board A’s in academics, college prep, diversity and other categories.
When Kentucky high school students attend the Gatton Academy, their state test scores and SEEK funding remain with their original schools while the students take college courses at WKU and earn credit. Because of this, Niche doesn’t include reading and math proficiency, but lists students’ average ACT score at 32 and notes that the school has a 100% graduation rate.
3. Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
Address: 1600 Man o’ War Blvd. in Lexington
Niche ranks Dunbar High as the third-best public high school in Kentucky and the No. 1 in Lexington. With a total of 1,946 students in grades nine through 12, it has a student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1, according to Niche. State test scores show 52% of its students are at least proficient in math and 58% in reading. Dunbar got an overall A grade from Niche along with A grades in academics, diversity and college prep.
4. J. Graham Brown School
Address: 546 South 1st St. in Louisville
J. Graham Brown School, also known as The Brown School, is a small magnet school in downtown Louisville with 738 students between kindergarten and 12th grade. Its student-to-teacher ratio is 16-to-1, and according to Niche, 61% of students are at least proficient in math. For reading, that figure is 75%.
5. Lafayette High School
Address: 401 Reed Lane in Lexington
With a total enrollment of 2,432 students in grades nine through 12, Lafayette High School ranks as the fifth-best high school in Kentucky, according to Niche. The school’s student-to-teacher ratio is 19-to-1. Citing state test score data, Niche states 56% of students are at least proficient in math, while 65% are at least proficient in reading. The school got an A overall, with Niche also assigning high marks for academics, teachers and diversity.
6. Beechwood High School
Address: 54 Beechwood Road, Fort Mitchell
Beechwood High School is a small public high school with 727 students in grades seven through 12. Its student-to-teacher ratio is 18-to-1. Sixty-two percent of students there score at least proficient in math, while 66% were at least proficient in reading.
7. Highlands High School
Address: 2400 Memorial Parkway in Ft. Thomas
According to Niche, Highlands High has a total of 1,015 students enrolled with grades nine through 12, with student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1. Citing state testing data, Niche reports that 73% of the high school’s students are at least proficient in math, with 80% at least proficient in reading.
8. Ballard High School
Address: 6000 Brownsboro Road in Louisville
Located in the eastern suburbs of Louisville, Ballard High School has a total of 2,014 students in grades nine through 12. Its student-to-teacher ratio is 19-to-1, and according to state testing data, 55% of its students are at least proficient in math, with 61% at least proficient in reading.
9. North Oldham High School
Address: 1815 South Highway 1793 in Goshen
With a total of 995 students between grades nine to 12, North Oldham High School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 19-to-1. State test score data shows 62% of its students are at least proficient in math, while 64% are at least proficient in reading.
10. South Oldham High School
Address: 5901 Veterans Memorial Parkway in Crestwood
South Oldham High School has 1,341 students in grades nine through 12, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 20-to-1, according to Niche. Its state test score data shows 61% of students are at least proficient in math and 63% in reading.
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