R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School in Edgewood ranked 95th in Kentucky in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools rankings, the highest ranking among the four schools featured here.
The public school on Dudley Road scored 86.28 out of 100 in the rankings, which evaluated 686 Kentucky elementary schools. Sixty-seven percent of Hinsdale's students scored at or above the proficient level in both math and reading, according to U.S. News. That topped the Kenton County district averages of 60% in math and 58% in reading.
U.S. News rated Hinsdale's math performance as "well above expectations" and its reading performance as "somewhat above expectations." The school serves 555 students in grades PK-5 with a 17-to-1 student-teacher ratio.
Three other local elementary schools also placed in the statewide rankings.
Beechwood Elementary School in Fort Mitchell ranked 130th with a score of 81.17 out of 100. The school serves 780 students in grades PK-6 and matched Hinsdale's 67% proficiency rate in both math and reading. Beechwood's math and reading performance ratings were both listed as "meets expectations."
River Ridge Elementary School in Villa Hills came in at 164th with a score of 76.2. The school has 889 students and about 60 full-time-equivalent teachers. Sixty percent of its students scored proficient or above in math, and 51% did so in reading.
James A. Caywood Elementary School in Edgewood ranked 197th with a score of 71.39. Fifty-four percent of its 582 students scored proficient or above in math, and 53% did so in reading.
All four local schools outperformed Kentucky's statewide averages of 43% math proficiency and 48% reading proficiency among elementary students, according to U.S. News.
Kenton County Schools Superintendent Dr. Henry Webb has said the district focuses on attendance and transition readiness rates. In coverage published in July, Webb said the district aims for 100% transition readiness and 96.25% attendance.
The rankings evaluated about 46,000 public elementary schools nationwide. Each school was scored on four equally weighted factors: math proficiency, math performance, reading proficiency and reading performance. Half the formula assessed raw test scores. The other half factored in results relative to socioeconomic demographics. Rankings are based on 2023-2024 state assessment data.
Kentucky's top-ranked elementary schools
The following schools appeared at the top of the U.S. News Best Kentucky Elementary Schools list:
- Farmington Elementary School, Mayfield
- Sublimity Elementary School, London
- Greathouse/Shryock Traditional, Louisville
- G R Hampton Elementary School, Barbourville
- Cawood Elementary School, Cawood
- Murray Elementary School, Murray
- Burning Springs Elementary, Manchester
- Norton Elementary, Louisville
- Woodlawn Elementary School, Danville
- Rosa Parks Elementary School, Lexington
