Best Public Schools in Owensboro, KY

The city of Owensboro, Kentucky is home to 29 schools across two school districts - Daviess County and Owensboro Independent. The schools serve students from elementary through high school, with 16 elementary, 5 middle, and 8 high schools. The data reveals stark differences in performance between the two districts, with Daviess County High School, Tamarack Elementary, and Daviess County Middle School standing out as top-performing schools in the region.

The data suggests a strong correlation between a school's socioeconomic status, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, and its academic performance. Schools with the highest poverty rates, such as Cravens Elementary, Foust Elementary, and Emerson Academy, tend to have lower test scores and overall performance. Conversely, the higher-performing schools, like Daviess County High and Tamarack Elementary, have lower poverty rates and more resources, as evidenced by their higher per-student spending and smaller student-teacher ratios.

The data also highlights the importance of middle school preparation, with the high-performing high schools benefiting from the strong foundation laid by their feeder middle schools. Additionally, the alternative and virtual schools in the area, such as Heritage Park High and Virtual Academy, struggle with lower graduation rates and test scores compared to the traditional public schools. Overall, the data provides a comprehensive view of the school landscape in Owensboro, Kentucky, revealing both strengths and challenges that can inform efforts to support the academic success of all students in the community.