Middle Schools in Nelson County

The two middle schools in Nelson County serve grades 6–8 and enroll 890 students combined. In 2025–2026, proficiency was below the state average in nearly every reported subject and grade: the two schools’ combined average was 31%, compared with 42% statewide, an 11-point gap. Eighth-grade writing was the exception, averaging 50% locally versus 48% statewide. The area’s most important finding is that the broad proficiency gap outweighs either school’s individual subject strengths.

Old Kentucky Home Middle School stands out in reading, leading Bloomfield Middle School by 9 points in sixth grade, 5 in seventh, and 7 in eighth; it also leads in sixth-grade math and seventh-grade science. Bloomfield’s clearest strength is eighth-grade writing: 58% proficient, 16 points above Old Kentucky Home and 10 above the state. Bloomfield also leads in seventh- and eighth-grade math, social studies, and editing and mechanics, though neither school reaches the state average in those subjects. Old Kentucky Home’s overall average is slightly higher, 32% versus 31%. SchoolDigger ranks Old Kentucky Home 262nd of 326 middle schools statewide and Bloomfield 267th; both have one star.

Results moved in different directions: Old Kentucky Home’s overall average was nearly unchanged from 2024–2025 to 2025–2026, while Bloomfield’s fell 4 points, from 35% to 31%. The area average declined 2 points, compared with a 1-point statewide decline, widening the gap by about 1 point. Bloomfield’s overall drop masks a 15-point gain in eighth-grade writing. Both schools had 49% of students free/reduced lunch eligible in 2024–2025; their student–teacher ratios that year were 19.1 at Old Kentucky Home and 17.4 at Bloomfield. These figures offer context, not an explanation for score differences. With enrollments of 594 and 296, respectively, small student groups may affect year-to-year results.