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Best High Schools in Kentucky
(2026 List)

The Kentucky Department of Education oversees the public high school system in Kentucky, which includes more than 250 individual high schools and 196 combined middle and high schools. A strong emphasis has been placed on career/technical education (CTE) and readiness for postsecondary education at the best high schools in Kentucky. The state continues to have a strong academic recovery following the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranking 8th in the nation for mathematics composite scores and 6th in reading composite scores. Additionally, 33 Kentucky High Schools achieved the highest Five-Star “Blue” rating by the Kentucky Department of Education in 2025, and have continued their path of success toward postsecondary education participation through CTE, developing measurable academic success for their students, and career pathways specifically aligned with currently available jobs in the community.