Best Public Schools in Lexington, KY

The Lexington, Kentucky area is home to 70 schools, including 41 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 17 high schools, all part of the Fayette County School District. While the district is ranked 70 out of 160 in Kentucky and rated 3 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger, the area boasts several standout schools that are among the top performers in the state.

Lafayette High School is ranked 13 out of 276 Kentucky high schools and has a 5-star rating, with consistently high performance across subjects. Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School and Cassidy Elementary School are also 5-star schools, ranked 19 and 20 in their respective categories in the state. Other top-performing schools include Athens-Chilesburg Elementary and STEAM Academy.

However, the data also reveals significant performance gaps between the highest-performing and lowest-performing schools in the Lexington area, with some schools struggling to meet proficiency standards. This disparity is often linked to socioeconomic factors, as schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates tend to have lower academic achievement. The district has an opportunity to identify and implement strategies to support the lower-performing schools and help close these achievement gaps, ensuring that all students in the Lexington area have access to high-quality educational opportunities.