Photo: Smallbones · Public domainOwensboro’s public schools score below 56% of Kentucky districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the two public school districts serving Owensboro, 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.
Owensboro’s schools, in brief
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 44% and math 40% across both districts in spring 2022, against 45% and 38% statewide; 93% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
Daviess County spends $13,226 per student and Owensboro Independent $15,085, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Owensboro Catholic High School (private), Owensboro Catholic Elementary K-3 (private), Owensboro Catholic Elementary School 4-6 Campus (private), Owensboro Catholic Middle School (private) and Maximilian Montessori Academy (private) are 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.
What’s behind Owensboro’s grade
C+: better than 44% of Kentucky school districts, #96 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 Owensboro, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Owensboro · depends on your address
Tamarack Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 564 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Estes Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Hager Preschool
Grades PK · 120 students · 10:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Owensboro · depends on your address
Daviess County Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 870 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Innovation Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 311 students · 16:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Owensboro · depends on your address
Daviess County Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 870 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Innovation Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 311 students · 16:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Owensboro · depends on your address
Daviess County Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 870 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 790 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Owensboro Innovation Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 311 students · 16:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Owensboro
Owensboro High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,342 students · 17:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Owensboro
Owensboro High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,342 students · 17:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Owensboro
Owensboro High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,342 students · 17:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Owensboro
Owensboro High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,342 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Owensboro runs its own schools through grade 12 (Daviess County School District). From grade PK, students attend the Owensboro Independent School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Owensboro
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Owensboro vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Owensboro’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Owensboro | C+ | Daviess County PK–12 · Owensboro Independent PK–12 |
Ohio, IN borders Owensboro but is graded on its own state’s tests, so it’s left out.
Every school in Owensboro
18 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: 7 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Owensboro Day Treatment, Valley Elementary School, Valley High School, The Center for Academic Improvement, Kentucky TECH - Owensboro Campus, Owensboro Technical College and Owensboro Innovation Academy).
Questions about Owensboro’s schools
Are Owensboro’s schools good?
On Kentucky’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Owensboro children attend score below 56% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #96 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 42%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Owensboro in?
Two districts: Daviess County School District runs grades PK–12, and Owensboro Independent School District runs grades PK–12.
Where do Owensboro kids go to high school?
Owensboro High School, with 1,342 students; its own test results earn a B.
What is Owensboro’s graduation rate?
93% of the class of 2023 in Daviess County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Owensboro spend per student?
$13,226 in Daviess County School District and $15,085 in Owensboro Independent School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Owensboro?
Yes: Owensboro Catholic High School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 391 students), Owensboro Catholic Elementary K-3 (Catholic, grades K–3, 362 students), Owensboro Catholic Elementary School 4-6 Campus (Catholic, grades 4–6, 299 students), Owensboro Catholic Middle School (Catholic, grades 7–8, 201 students) and Maximilian Montessori Academy (Catholic, grades PK–K, 47 students).
Parents talk
What Owensboro families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Owensboro → 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.