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Kenton county courthousePhoto: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0
A
Schools in Independence · Kenton County School District

Independence’s public schools outscore 90% of Kentucky districts

49% of students in Independence’s public schools are proficient in math, above the Kentucky average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Independence, 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.

#23of 139 Kentucky townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
54%
▲ 9 pts vs KY 45%
2021–22
Math proficiency
49%
▲ 11 pts vs KY 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
96%
▲ 5 pts vs KY 91%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$12.0K
▼ 18% vs KY $14.8K
FY2024
Students per teacher
17.7
KY 15.4 · larger classes
Schools in town
5
4,512 students on the public path
In brief

Independence’s schools, in brief

Against towns with similar incomes

Among the 106 Kentucky towns with household incomes within a quarter of Independence’s, its schools beat 73%, lower than their 90% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 54% and math 49% 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

The district spends $12,024 per student, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Three elementary schools, then one middle and one high school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is Summit View Academy, then Simon Kenton High School. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Cecilia Catholic School (private) is in town. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Independence’s grade

A Test scoresB Graduation

A: better than 90% of Kentucky school districts, #23 of 139 Kentucky towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Kentucky average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Kentucky school districts we grade (172)Better than 90%
Lower resultsHigher results
Kentucky towns with similar household incomes (106)Better than 73%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 7,206 test results and a graduating class of 1,124 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Independence’s students in the tested grades sat them (7,210 in math, 7,201 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Independence, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–53 elementary schoolsDepends on your addressB+ to A
6–8Summit View AcademyKenton County School DistrictB+
9–12Simon Kenton High SchoolKenton County School DistrictA−

Independence’s public schools are run by Kenton County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Kenton County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 18 schools · 13,834 students, down 1% since 2020–21 · 17.7 per teacher (KY 15.4)
$12,024KY $14,752 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading54%
State average 44.7% · 7201 students tested
Math49%
State average 37.8% · 7210 students tested

Independence vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Independence’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
IndependenceAKenton County
ErlangerA−Kenton County PK–12 · Erlanger-Elsmere Independent PK–12
Ryland Heights—Kenton County
CovingtonB+Kenton County PK–12 · Covington Independent PK–12
ElsmereA−Kenton County PK–12 · Erlanger-Elsmere Independent PK–12

All 4 neighbors share Kenton County with Independence, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Independence

5 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).

District schools in Independenceby address
Summit View Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
B+
1,324 students16:1Rate it →
Kenton Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A
650 students15:1Rate it →
Beechgrove Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–5
A−
645 students14:1Rate it →
Simon Kenton High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
1,893 students24:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Cecilia Catholic School
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
373 students20:1Rate it →

Questions about Independence’s schools

Are Independence’s schools good?

By Kentucky’s own tests, yes: the public schools Independence children attend outscore 90% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #23 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 73%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Independence in?

Kenton County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 13,834 students in 18 schools (2024–25).

Where do Independence kids go to high school?

Simon Kenton High School, with 1,893 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Independence’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 Independence spend per student?

$12,024 in Kenton County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Independence?

Yes: St. Cecilia Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 373 students).

Parents talk

What Independence families are saying about school.

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Looking for colleges? Colleges near Independence → 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.