Best private high schools in Kentucky

As filmmaker and writer Nora Ephron said during a ’96 commencement address at Wellesley College, “Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.” If that’s the case, high school may be one of the greatest dress rehearsals of all.

It’s a place where students explore their interests, dive into extracurricular activities, finally get the freedom to choose their own classes, and prepare for college or the workplace. For many of these students and their families, education is key: 1.4 million students enrolled in private high schools in fall 2021, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There were about 3,600 private secondary schools nationwide as of 2020.

For many anxious parents, getting their kids into the best of these private high schools is of the utmost importance. Some families even move homes to send their kids to better schools. However, among all of these thousands of schools, a few stand out for their academic excellence, incredible track records, and the future success of their young students.

Stacker compiled a list of the best private high schools in Kentucky using 2024 rankings from Niche. Niche uses seven weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on academics, but other factors include culture and diversity; sports; clubs and activities; resources; and surveys of parents, teachers, and students.

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#30. Gateway Christian School

– Location: Middlesboro, KY
– Enrollment: 162 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+

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#29. Christian Academy of Louisville

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 2,129 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade B+

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#28. Christian Fellowship School

– Location: Benton, KY
– Enrollment: 225 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#27. Mercy Academy

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 511 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#26. Wesley Christian School

– Location: Allen, KY
– Enrollment: 130 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#25. Highlands Latin School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 720 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#24. DeSales High School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 340 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#23. Covington Catholic High School

– Location: Park Hills, KY
– Enrollment: 468 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#22. Notre Dame Academy

– Location: Park Hills, KY
– Enrollment: 526 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#21. Holy Family School

– Location: Ashland, KY
– Enrollment: 130 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#20. The Piarist School

– Location: Hager Hill, KY
– Enrollment: 44 (3:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A-

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#19. Oakdale Christian Academy

– Location: Jackson, KY
– Enrollment: 65 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#18. Northside Christian Academy

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 108 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#17. Lexington Christian Academy

– Location: Lexington, KY
– Enrollment: 1,363 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#16. Presentation Academy

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 220 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#15. Glasgow Christian Academy

– Location: Glasgow, KY
– Enrollment: 64 (4:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#14. Trinity Christian Academy

– Location: Lexington, KY
– Enrollment: 465 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#13. Lexington Catholic High School

– Location: Lexington, KY
– Enrollment: 796 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#12. Saint Xavier High School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 1,089 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#11. Sacred Heart Academy

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 735 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#10. Trinity High School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 1,261 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#9. Villa Madonna Academy

– Location: Villa Hills, KY
– Enrollment: 481 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#8. Oneida Baptist Institute

– Location: Oneida, KY
– Enrollment: 339 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#7. Covington Latin School

– Location: Covington, KY
– Enrollment: 201 (10:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#6. Assumption High School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 900 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A

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#5. Francis Parker School of Louisville

– Location: Goshen, KY
– Enrollment: 494 (7:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#4. Walden School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 285 (6:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#3. Sayre School

– Location: Lexington, KY
– Enrollment: 610 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#2. Louisville Collegiate School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 796 (8:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

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#1. Kentucky Country Day School

– Location: Louisville, KY
– Enrollment: 825 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)
– Niche grade: Grade A+

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Emma Rubin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.