Photo: EEJCC · CC BY-SA 4.0Covington’s public schools outscore 67% of Kentucky districts
On the state math tests, 44% of Covington’s students scored proficient, above the Kentucky average (38%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Covington, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.
From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Covington’s schools, in brief
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 44% across both districts in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 96% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Kenton County spends $12,024 per student and Covington Independent $17,515, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Calvary Christian School (private), Holy Cross District High School (private), Holy Cross Elementary School (private), Covington Latin School (private), St. Augustine School (private), Community Montessori (private), Prince of Peace School (private) and Covington Classical Academy (private) are in town. Transformational Learning Center, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Covington’s grade
B+: better than 67% of Kentucky school districts, #58 of 139 Kentucky towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kentucky average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Covington, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Covington · depends on your address
Taylor Mill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 508 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Ft Wright Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 469 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Biggs Early Childhood Education Ctr
Grades PK · 285 students · 28:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Covington
Holmes Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Covington
Holmes Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 15:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Covington
Holmes Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 631 students · 15:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Covington
Holmes High School
Grades 9–12 · 855 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Covington
Holmes High School
Grades 9–12 · 855 students · 13:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Covington
Holmes High School
Grades 9–12 · 855 students · 13:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Covington
Holmes High School
Grades 9–12 · 855 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Covington runs its own schools through grade 12 (Kenton County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Covington Independent School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Covington
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well above the state in reading
Covington vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Covington’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Covington | B+ | Kenton County PK–12 · Covington Independent PK–12 |
| Taylor Mill | A | Kenton County |
| Fort Wright | A | Kenton County |
| Ludlow | B | Ludlow Independent |
| Park Hills | A | Kenton County |
| Wilder | A | Campbell County |
| Ryland Heights | — | Kenton County |
| Erlanger | A− | Kenton County PK–12 · Erlanger-Elsmere Independent PK–12 |
| Independence | A | Kenton County |
| Newport | D− | Newport Independent |
| Kenton Vale | — | Kenton County |
7 of the 10 neighbors share Kenton County with Covington for grades PK–12, so their letters differ mainly through the lower grades. Cincinnati, OH borders Covington but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Covington
19 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Covington Adult High School, Chapman Vocational Education Center, Northern KY Technical College and Northern Kentucky TECH).
Questions about Covington’s schools
Are Covington’s schools good?
By Kentucky’s own tests, yes: the public schools Covington children attend outscore 67% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B+ Schools grade, #58 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 67%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Covington in?
Two districts: Kenton County School District runs grades PK–12, and Covington Independent School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Covington kids go to high school?
Holmes High School, with 855 students; its own test results earn a D.
What is Covington’s graduation rate?
96% of the class of 2023 in Kenton County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Covington spend per student?
$12,024 in Kenton County School District and $17,515 in Covington Independent School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Covington?
Yes: Calvary Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 490 students), Holy Cross District High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 314 students), Holy Cross Elementary School (Catholic, grades K–8, 174 students), Covington Latin School (Catholic, grades 7–12, 162 students), St. Augustine School (Catholic, grades K–8, 93 students), Community Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–8, 83 students), Prince of Peace School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 64 students) and Covington Classical Academy (nonsectarian, grades 8–12, 18 students).
Parents talk
What Covington families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Covington → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.