Nicholas County High School

Summary:

Nicholas County High School is a public high school located in Carlisle, Kentucky, serving grades 7-12 with a total enrollment of 455 students. The school is part of the Nicholas County School District, which is ranked 119 out of 159 districts in Kentucky and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Overall, Nicholas County High School has a mixed performance, with strengths in certain subject areas and for specific student subgroups, but struggles to perform at the same level as many other high schools in Kentucky. The school's performance on standardized tests, such as the ACT and Kentucky State Assessments (KSA), is generally below the state average, with the exception of KSA Writing and Editing and Mechanics, where the school performs above average. The school's four-year graduation rate of 84.4% is slightly below the state average. Interestingly, the school performs well for low socioeconomic status (SES) and homeless students, ranking 64th and 5th out of Kentucky high schools, respectively, in the 2023-2024 school year.

Compared to nearby schools, such as Bath County High School, which has a higher four-year graduation rate and better performance on some standardized tests, Nicholas County High School still outperforms these schools in several areas, particularly for low-SES and homeless students. The school's performance and ranking have been inconsistent over the past 7 years, which may be attributed to fluctuations in funding and resources, as the school's spending per student and student-teacher ratio have varied during this time period.


Detail:

Public 7-12

 103 School Dr
       Carlisle, KY  40311


(859) 289-3780

District: Nicholas County

SchoolDigger Rank:
154th of 290 Kentucky High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $28,499 Help


Feeder schools for Nicholas County High School:

Elementary:    Nicholas County Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  15.1 Help
Number of students:  455

Racial breakdown:

White:
92.5%
Hispanic:
5.3%
Two or more races:
1.5%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  63.3% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Nicholas County High School ranks worse than 50.3% of middle schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 46.21. (See more...)
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Compare Details Nicholas County High School ranks worse than 53.1% of high schools in Kentucky. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 44.14. (See more...)
Help
The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of Nicholas County High School freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Nicholas County High School is $28,499.
Schooldigger 2024 Rankings:

Nicholas County High School:

SchoolDigger ranks Nicholas County High School 163rd of 324 Kentucky public middle schools. (See Nicholas County High School in the ranking list.)

Middle School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:

SchoolDigger ranks Nicholas County High School 154th of 290 Kentucky public high schools. (See Nicholas County High School in the ranking list.)

High School Test Score Ratings by Student Subgroup:


Low Socio Economic Status students:
Homeless students:
Female students:
Male students:
White students:


Nicholas County:

SchoolDigger ranks Nicholas County 119th of 159 Kentucky school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for Nicholas County High School

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Compare

Rank History for all middle school students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 19.19 271st 304 10.9%
2012 28.04 261st 319 18.2%
2013 44.37 208th 335 37.9%
2014 40.37 217th 335 35.2%
2015 43.05 207th 337 38.6%
2016 55.31 142nd 331 57.1%
2017 56.92 135th 330 59.1%
2018 46.20 180th 322 44.1%
2019 42.01 207th 335 38.2%
2021 40.11 155th 282 45.0%
2022 46.15 161st 320 49.7%
2023 42.95 176th 327 46.2%
2024 46.21 163rd 324 49.7%
See the entire list of Kentucky High School Rankings!

Rank History for middle school Special Education students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 42.13 181st 294 38.4%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for middle school Low Socio Economic Status students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 39.83 181st 285 36.5%
2019 41.00 187th 303 38.3%
2021 60.34 60th 224 73.2%
2022 49.12 141st 310 54.5%
2023 48.10 149th 309 51.8%
2024 55.35 117th 311 62.4%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for middle school Homeless students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 42.60 18th 32 43.8%
2019 66.58 14th 58 75.9%
2022 43.43 13th 22 40.9%
2023 20.03 20th 21 4.8%
2024 34.57 19th 28 32.1%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for middle school Female students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 31.79 230th 290 20.7%
2019 44.91 166th 299 44.5%
2021 28.96 177th 233 24.0%
2022 45.84 149th 299 50.2%
2023 41.97 174th 295 41.0%
2024 52.70 131st 300 56.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for middle school Disabled students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 17.78 216th 219 1.4%
2019 38.55 122nd 226 46.0%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Disabled Students!

Rank History for middle school Gifted and Talented students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 3.50 62nd 63 1.6%
2019 52.00 40th 62 35.5%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Gifted and Talented Students!

Rank History for middle school Male students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 53.14 123rd 293 58.0%
2019 33.04 220th 303 27.4%
2022 44.87 155th 304 49.0%
2023 40.62 174th 307 43.3%
2024 38.04 186th 304 38.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for middle school White students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 27.74 204th 253 19.4%
2019 26.27 211th 266 20.7%
2021 33.78 141st 213 33.8%
2022 45.95 159th 314 49.4%
2023 36.93 201st 320 37.2%
2024 41.69 178th 316 43.7%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Nicholas County High School

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Compare

Rank History for all high school students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2007 16.60 198th 217 8.8%
2008 15.49 200th 217 7.8%
2009 22.96 186th 217 14.3%
2010 17.28 203rd 223 9.0%
2011 23.07 195th 226 13.7%
2012 19.29 210th 229 8.3%
2013 40.13 194th 291 33.3%
2014 39.13 191st 290 34.1%
2015 64.20 94th 295 68.1%
2016 68.57 70th 288 75.7%
2017 64.12 97th 287 66.2%
2018 48.05 136th 271 49.8%
2019 42.03 166th 285 41.8%
2021 40.25 148th 267 44.6%
2022 32.22 185th 271 31.7%
2023 33.48 184th 276 33.3%
2024 44.14 154th 290 46.9%
See the entire list of Kentucky High School Rankings!

Rank History for high school Special Education students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2019 48.16 118th 226 47.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Special Education Students!

Rank History for high school Low Socio Economic Status students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 52.64 110th 232 52.6%
2019 53.71 119th 254 53.1%
2021 39.62 145th 234 38.0%
2022 41.46 158th 266 40.6%
2023 48.77 128th 272 52.9%
2024 67.39 64th 274 76.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Low Socio Economic Status Students!

Rank History for high school Homeless students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 16.95 23rd 25 8.0%
2019 47.27 16th 33 51.5%
2021 41.70 17th 26 34.6%
2022 36.76 22nd 32 31.3%
2023 36.37 24th 37 35.1%
2024 76.78 5th 30 83.3%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Homeless Students!

Rank History for high school Female students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 75.02 48th 234 79.5%
2019 37.89 176th 249 29.3%
2021 30.94 169th 236 28.4%
2022 34.92 177th 252 29.8%
2023 29.76 193rd 253 23.7%
2024 30.44 189th 261 27.6%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Female Students!

Rank History for high school Male students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 21.08 199th 237 16.0%
2019 48.18 136th 251 45.8%
2021 53.42 75th 238 68.5%
2022 26.85 198th 257 23.0%
2023 34.54 167th 259 35.5%
2024 62.82 80th 262 69.5%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for Male Students!

Rank History for high school White students at Nicholas County High School

Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools KY State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2018 37.53 130th 198 34.3%
2019 40.39 141st 219 35.6%
2022 26.08 195th 260 25.0%
2023 23.70 210th 264 20.5%
2024 35.39 178th 273 34.8%
See the entire list of Best Kentucky High Schools for White Students!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

As you review the school rankings data, please be aware that some of the information from certain demographics is missing. The reason for this omission is that the data has been redacted from the source data itself due to low population samples in these specific demographic groups.

Redacting data from low population samples is a necessary step to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the results, as small sample sizes may not be representative of the broader population. Additionally, this measure helps protect the privacy of individuals belonging to these demographic groups.

Nicholas County High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    
  
Subgroup: 






Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Nicholas County High School

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Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 369 3 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 373
1989 403 7 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 411
1990 355 6 2 0 0 n/a n/a 0 363
1991 368 10 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 379
1992 374 9 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 384
1993 385 5 1 0 0 n/a n/a 0 391
1994 376 7 0 0 0 n/a n/a 50 433
1995 395 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 396
1996 395 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 396
1997 390 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 390
1998 381 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 1 383
1999 369 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 369
2000 340 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 340
2001 337 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 339
2002 336 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 338
2003 336 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 338
2004 331 2 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 333
2005 345 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 345
2006 346 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 346
2007 389 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 389
2008 360 1 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 361
2009 374 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 2 376
2010 354 2 0 2 1 n/a n/a 4 363
2011 498 2 1 5 0 0 3 0 509
2012 506 3 2 6 0 0 4 0 521
2013 478 3 1 10 1 0 5 0 498
2014 483 0 1 18 1 0 5 0 508
2015 481 3 1 22 1 0 6 0 514
2016 488 2 1 18 2 0 6 0 517
2017 494 4 2 19 1 0 6 0 526
2018 454 2 1 23 1 0 6 0 487
2019 442 2 3 21 0 0 7 0 475
2020 432 2 2 20 0 0 5 0 461
2021 432 1 2 20 0 0 5 0 460
2022 443 2 1 19 0 0 7 0 472
2023 421 2 1 24 0 0 7 0 455

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Nicholas County High School

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Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 373 21.9 17.0 n/a
1989 411 23.0 17.8 n/a
1990 363 22.5 16.1 n/a
1991 379 25.2 15.0 n/a
1992 384 26.7 14.3 n/a
1993 391 28.0 14.0 n/a
1994 433 25.5 17.0 n/a
1995 396 25.7 15.4 n/a
1996 396 25.7 15.4 n/a
1997 390 42.3 9.2 23.6
1998 383 24.3 15.8 25.9
1999 369 25.7 14.4 32.5
2000 340 24.3 14.0 37.4
2001 339 24.3 14.0 42.8
2002 338 25.7 13.2 79.9
2003 338 25.7 13.2 79.9
2004 333 24.0 13.9 n/a
2005 345 24.5 14.1 n/a
2006 346 25.1 13.8 48.6
2007 389 24.0 16.2 43.7
2008 361 24.0 15.0 47.9
2009 376 24.0 15.7 45.5
2010 363 22.0 16.5 52.6
2011 509 35.0 14.5 58.2
2012 521 32.0 16.2 18.2
2013 498 30.0 16.6 47.6
2014 508 30.0 16.9 55.5
2015 514 30.0 17.1 57.4
2016 517 29.0 17.8 56.7
2017 526 30.0 17.5 60.1
2018 487 29.5 16.5 55.2
2019 475 29.5 16.1 64
2020 461 26.0 17.7 63.3
2021 460 23.0 20.0 5.2
2022 472 32.0 14.7 64.2
2023 455 30.0 15.1 63.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Nicholas County High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 373 21.9 17.0 n/a
1989 411 23.0 17.8 n/a
1990 363 22.5 16.1 n/a
1991 379 25.2 15.0 n/a
1992 384 26.7 14.3 n/a
1993 391 28.0 14.0 n/a
1994 433 25.5 17.0 n/a
1995 396 25.7 15.4 n/a
1996 396 25.7 15.4 n/a
1997 390 42.3 9.2 23.6
1998 383 24.3 15.8 25.9
1999 369 25.7 14.4 32.5
2000 340 24.3 14.0 37.4
2001 339 24.3 14.0 42.8
2002 338 25.7 13.2 79.9
2003 338 25.7 13.2 79.9
2004 333 24.0 13.9 n/a
2005 345 24.5 14.1 n/a
2006 346 25.1 13.8 48.6
2007 389 24.0 16.2 43.7
2008 361 24.0 15.0 47.9
2009 376 24.0 15.7 45.5
2010 363 22.0 16.5 52.6
2011 509 35.0 14.5 58.2
2012 521 32.0 16.2 18.2
2013 498 30.0 16.6 47.6
2014 508 30.0 16.9 55.5
2015 514 30.0 17.1 57.4
2016 517 29.0 17.8 56.7
2017 526 30.0 17.5 60.1
2018 487 29.5 16.5 55.2
2019 475 29.5 16.1 64
2020 461 26.0 17.7 63.3
2021 460 23.0 20.0 5.2
2022 472 32.0 14.7 64.2
2023 455 30.0 15.1 63.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Nicholas County High School

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YearPersonnel Expenditures from Federal FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from Federal FundsTotal Expenditures from Federal FundsPersonnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsNon-Personnel Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $631 (4.6%) $82 (0.6%) $713 (5.2%) $8,730 (63.5%) $2,271 (16.5%) $10,387 (75.5%) $13,749
2019 $456 (2.4%) $49 (0.3%) $506 (2.7%) $9,054 (48.0%) $2,349 (12.5%) $11,403 (60.5%) $18,861
2020 $621 (5.2%) $286 (2.4%) $7,133 (60.2%) $8,499 (71.7%) $2,442 (20.6%) $10,941 (92.4%) $11,847
2021 $1,390 (7.0%) $967 (4.8%) $2,357 (11.8%) $11,167 (56.0%) $3,801 (19.1%) $14,069 (70.5%) $19,946
2022 $1,432 (5.0%) $1,708 (6.0%) $3,139 (11.0%) $14,069 (49.4%) $3,232 (11.3%) $17,325 (60.8%) $28,499

Data source: Kentucky Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Nicholas County High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 207th of 335 Middle schoolsRanks 176th of 327 Middle schools
 8%
Ranks 166th of 285 High schoolsRanks 184th of 276 High schools
 8.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
11th Grade English (Nicholas County High School)4036
 4%
   11th Grade English (Nicholas County)4036
 4%
   11th Grade English (Kentucky)49.147
 2.1%
11th Grade Mathematics (Nicholas County High School)22.917
 5.9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Nicholas County)22.917
 5.9%
   11th Grade Mathematics (Kentucky)36.433
 3.4%
11th Grade Reading (Nicholas County High School)44.341
 3.3%
   11th Grade Reading (Nicholas County)44.341
 3.3%
   11th Grade Reading (Kentucky)4644
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students475455
 4.2%
African American22
American Indian00
Asian31
 66.7%
Hispanic2124
 14.3%
Pacific Islander00
White442421
 4.8%
Two or More Races77
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients64%63.3%
 0.7%


Schools Near Nicholas County High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Nicholas County High School

Nicholas County High School ranks 154th of 290 Kentucky high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Students at Nicholas County High School are 93% White, 5% Hispanic, 2% Two or more races.

In the 2022-23 school year, 455 students attended Nicholas County High School.

Nicholas County High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Nicholas County Elementary School


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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.





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