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South Heights Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

542^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 685 Kentucky Elementary Schools

Better than 21% of Kentucky elementary schools

Summary

South Heights Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Henderson, Kentucky, serving 415 students in grades K-5. The school is part of the Henderson County School District, which is ranked 41 out of 157 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite being part of a relatively high-performing district, South Heights Elementary School has seen a decline in its statewide ranking over the past several years, dropping from a high of 151 out of 705 Kentucky elementary schools in 2013-2014 to a low of 542 out of 685 in 2024-2025. The school's academic performance consistently underperforms compared to the Henderson County and Kentucky state averages in proficiency rates for the Kentucky State Assessments (KSA) across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2024-2025, the school's 4th-grade mathematics proficiency rate was 39%, compared to 59% for Henderson County and 44% for the state. The school also has significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 19.8% to 28.0% in recent years.

Interestingly, the nearby Spottsville Elementary, A.B. Chandler Elementary, and Niagara Elementary schools generally outperform South Heights Elementary on academic measures, suggesting that the challenges faced by South Heights may be unique to the school and not necessarily reflective of the broader district performance. Despite the school's academic challenges, South Heights Elementary spends more per student ($15,644 in 2023-2024) compared to the state average and some of the nearby schools, indicating that the school's issues may not be solely due to a lack of funding or resources.

413

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,644

Per pupil spending ?

78.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1199 Madison St
Henderson, KY 42420

(270) 831-5081

District: Henderson County

Students who attend South Heights Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Henderson County North Middle School
High:	Henderson County High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.8%

African American:

19.4%

Two or more races:

17.7%

See top rated Kentucky elementary schools

Compare South Heights Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 79th percentile in 2014 → 21st in 2025

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Kentucky average (33% vs 44% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (21st percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 58 percentile points since 2014

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school33%

District avg55%

Kentucky avg44%

542^nd of 685

Kentucky public elementary schools ?

Bottom 21%▼ down 49 pts since 2015

From top 30% (2015) to bottom 21% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Kentucky Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 8Elementary Schools in the Henderson County

41^st of 157Henderson County among Kentucky districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	23.7	542 of 685	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	37.9	436 of 685	36.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.2	490 of 687	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.9	509 of 684	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	42.0	458 of 700	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	59.8	264 of 691	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	67.5	188 of 694	72.9%	★★★★☆
2016	61.8	249 of 690	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2015	65.7	209 of 698	70.1%	★★★★☆
2014	72.4	151 of 705	78.6%	★★★★☆
2013	44.1	428 of 719	40.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	59.7	259 of 713	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	88.2	34 of 688	95.1%	★★★★★
2010	79.3	97 of 683	85.8%	★★★★☆
2009	69.9	183 of 658	72.2%	★★★★☆
2008	55.6	298 of 651	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	50.1	322 of 638	49.5%	★★☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2024	65.5	32 of 140	77.1%	★★★★☆
2023	69.1	22 of 129	82.9%	★★★★☆
2019	59.1	58 of 185	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	83.3	15 of 184	91.8%	★★★★★

Disabled

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2019	67.2	112 of 474	76.4%	★★★★☆
2018	68.6	91 of 445	79.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	23.6	524 of 648	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	53.5	290 of 644	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	23.5	518 of 639	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	21.7	534 of 641	16.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.9	460 of 671	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2018	55.5	290 of 663	56.3%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	29.6	507 of 672	24.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	52.9	270 of 665	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	46.1	343 of 670	48.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	32.7	465 of 667	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.6	331 of 664	50.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	71.3	117 of 631	81.5%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	25.0	518 of 653	20.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	42.0	394 of 652	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	38.1	415 of 652	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	30.9	466 of 657	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	45.4	409 of 676	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2018	62.0	236 of 665	64.5%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2022	42.4	26 of 43	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	47.2	32 of 58	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	77.3	6 of 59	89.8%	★★★★★

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2024	43.5	145 of 279	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	23.3	221 of 257	14.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	36.1	475 of 661	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Kentucky percentile	Rating
2025	26.4	508 of 659	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	40.3	385 of 659	41.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	30.5	473 of 658	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.4	476 of 656	27.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.7	390 of 592	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	58.3	236 of 593	60.2%	★★★☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

African American (2024)77th percentile+41 vs school

Disabled (2019)76th percentile+42 vs school

Special Education (2024)48th percentile+12 vs school

Multi-racial (2022)40th percentile+14 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2025)25th percentile+4 vs school

White (2025)23rd percentile~ school

Male (2025)21st percentile~ school

Female (2025)19th percentile~ school

By subject vs Kentucky (2024-2025) ?

Reading40%-9 vs state

Mathematics31%-12 vs state

Science26%-11 vs state

Social Studies26%-12 vs state

Editing and Mechanics26%-21 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Friday, September 7, 2012

I recently spend a day at South Heights Elementary School. I have never seen more devotion and love for the students! From the principal, Mr. Carroll, to the folk in the lunch room, these people REALLY CARE for the students. I was most impressed by the PASS program. In this program trouble with any student is immediately addressed and a remedy is sought. The PASS administrator, Mr. Anthony Melvin, is obviously called to the position. He is warm and understanding, while being patient and kind to the students. He does have the answer to each child's needs. Every 15 minutes, all day long, troubled students are checked in the classroom by Mr. Melvin and his assistant. The principal, Mr. Rob Carroll, is absolutely the best! If you are fortunate enough to have a child at South Heights Elementary, you don't have to worry about your child; he is in good hands with these folk! It is no wonder to me that South Heights Elementary School is a National Model School again!! Close Quote

Schools Near South Heights Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2025)				Ranking (2024)				KSA Mathematics (2025)			KSA Reading (2025)				KSA Science (2025)	KSA Writing (2025)	KSA Social Studies (2025)	KSA Editing and Mechanics (2025)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	Rank Change from Previous Year	KSA Mathematics 3rd Grade	KSA Mathematics 4th Grade	KSA Mathematics 5th Grade	KSA Reading 3rd Grade	KSA Reading 4th Grade	KSA Reading 5th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Science 4th Grade	KSA Writing 5th Grade	KSA Social Studies 5th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
South Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	1199 Madison St	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5081	413	30	14.0	78.5%	185 (44.8%)	80 (19.4%)	70 (16.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	73 (17.7%)	23.7	542^nd of 685 public elementary schools	20.9%		37.9	436^th of 685 public elementary schools	36.4%	106		39.0	23.0	41.0	38.0	42.0		26.0		26.0	26.0	$15,644	$1,881	$555	$2,435	$11,010	$2,199	$13,209
Jefferson Elementary School	Public	K-5	1000 S. Alves Street	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5090	413	27	15.5	61.5%	203 (49.2%)	75 (18.2%)	54 (13.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	79 (19.1%)	43.4	397^th of 685 public elementary schools	42.0%		33.5	468^th of 685 public elementary schools	31.7%	71	53.0	38.0	54.0	47.0	38.0	49.0		28.0	25.0	38.0	43.0	$13,840	$1,316	$604	$1,920	$10,004	$1,917	$11,921
East Heights Elementary School	Public	K-5	1776 Adams Ln	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5070	377	26	14.3	65.5%	248 (65.8%)	45 (11.9%)	25 (6.6%)	5 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	52 (13.8%)	68.7	185^th of 685 public elementary schools	73.0%		67.5	190^th of 685 public elementary schools	72.3%	5	33.0	54.0	63.0	59.0	53.0	66.0		34.0	57.0	54.0	63.0	$15,618	$1,637	$477	$2,114	$11,195	$2,309	$13,504
Bend Gate Elementary School	Public	K-5	920 Bend Gate Rd	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5040	421	27	15.4	59.6%	248 (58.9%)	58 (13.8%)	46 (10.9%)	6 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	59 (14.0%)	66.2	206^th of 685 public elementary schools	69.9%		47.3	349^th of 685 public elementary schools	49.1%	143	44.0	68.0	55.0	47.0	66.0	52.0		45.0	53.0	35.0	56.0	$14,811	$1,612	$518	$2,130	$10,504	$2,178	$12,682
Cairo Elementary School	Public	K-5	10694 Hwy 41-A	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 533-1286	233	16	14.6	45.5%	195 (83.7%)	9 (3.9%)	13 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (6.9%)	91	36^th of 685 public elementary schools	94.7%		88.4	43^rd of 685 public elementary schools	93.7%	7	73.0	79.0	79.0	69.0	67.0			64.0	44.0	69.0	79.0	$16,142	$1,606	$439	$2,045	$11,452	$2,646	$14,097
Niagara Elementary School	Public	K-5	13043 Hwy 136 E	Henderson	42420	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5142	270	15	18.2	34.4%	254 (94.1%)	3 (1.1%)	8 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.9%)	86.2	64^th of 685 public elementary schools	90.7%		91.4	26^th of 685 public elementary schools	96.2%	38	60.0	69.0	63.0	78.0	64.0	67.0			59.0	49.0	71.0	$14,914	$1,122	$454	$1,576	$10,666	$2,672	$13,338
Spottsville Elementary School	Public	K-5	9190 Us 60 E	Spottsville	42458	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 831-5136	514	32	16.0	44.2%	429 (83.5%)	26 (5.1%)	20 (3.9%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	33 (6.4%)	92.3	23^rd of 685 public elementary schools	96.6%		88.8	39^th of 685 public elementary schools	94.3%	16	66.0	60.0	81.0	71.0	66.0	80.0		55.0	68.0	66.0	85.0	$13,728	$1,427	$513	$1,940	$9,849	$1,939	$11,788
A B Chandler Elementary School	Public	K-5	11215 Us 60 W	Corydon	42406	Henderson County	Henderson County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 533-1760	256	18	14.3	53.9%	213 (83.2%)	15 (5.9%)	7 (2.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	19 (7.4%)	56.6	287^th of 685 public elementary schools	58.1%		75.4	120^th of 685 public elementary schools	82.5%	167	47.0	81.0	50.0	49.0	62.0	50.0			25.0	29.0	50.0	$16,420	$1,224	$453	$1,677	$12,441	$2,302	$14,743
Sebree Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	61 N State St	Sebree	42455	Webster County	Webster County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 835-7891	408	21	19.8	75.2%	177 (43.4%)	3 (0.7%)	224 (54.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	12.2	627^th of 685 public elementary schools	8.5%		10.7	631^st of 685 public elementary schools	7.9%	4			14.0	23.0	30.0	27.0	39.0		30.0		26.0	$12,246	$1,343	$730	$2,073	$8,249	$1,924	$10,173
West Louisville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8400 Hwy 56	Owensboro	42301	Daviess County	Daviess County	No	No	No	Yes	(270) 852-7650	319	21	15.1	54.9%	274 (85.9%)	3 (0.9%)	31 (9.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.8%)	44.9	381^st of 685 public elementary schools	44.4%		37.5	440^th of 685 public elementary schools	35.8%	59	48.0	44.0	46.0	43.0	40.0	52.0		27.0		35.0	50.0	$17,814	$1,365	$344	$1,709	$12,255	$1,804	$14,059

Frequently Asked Questions about South Heights Elementary School

How many students attend South Heights Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 413 students attended South Heights Elementary School.

What district is South Heights Elementary School in?

Henderson County

Is South Heights Elementary School a good school?

South Heights Elementary School ranks in the bottom 20.9% of Kentucky elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of South Heights Elementary School attend?

Students who attend South Heights Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Henderson County North Middle School
High : Henderson County High School

What is the racial makeup of South Heights Elementary School?

Students at South Heights Elementary School are 45% White, 19% African American, 18% Two or more races, 17% Hispanic.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.