New Haven Elementary in Union scored 97.66 out of 100 and ranked 17th in Kentucky in the 2027 U.S. News Best Elementary Schools rankings released Oct. 20. That makes it the highest-rated elementary school in the Boone County district.

The school posted 74% math proficiency and 79% reading proficiency on state assessments, according to U.S. News. Both figures topped the Boone County district averages of 57% in math and 60% in reading. They also exceeded statewide averages of 43% in math and 48% in reading.

New Haven serves 716 students in grades PK-5 at its campus on U.S. 42 in Union. The student-teacher ratio is 16-to-1, matching the district average. All 44 full-time teachers are certified, and the school has two full-time counselors.

U.S. News rated New Haven's reading and math performance as "well above expectations." The school ranked 14th statewide in both math proficiency and reading proficiency (tied in reading).

Erpenbeck Elementary in Florence placed second among local schools, ranking 40th statewide with a 94.31 out of 100 overall score. Erpenbeck's 764 students posted 70% math proficiency and 68% reading proficiency.

Boone County Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Hauswald has pointed to the district's academic gains as a priority. In a July profile published by LINK nky, Hauswald said the district had eliminated pandemic-era learning loss. He noted Boone County Schools was the only district in Kentucky with academic scores higher than pre-pandemic levels at the end of the 2024 school year.

The 2027 rankings cover about 46,000 public elementary schools nationwide, according to a U.S. News press release. Schools are ranked at the state and district levels. There is no national ranking.

Half of each school’s ranking reflects achievement in mathematics and reading/language arts. The other half evaluates performance relative to expectations based on students’ socioeconomic backgrounds. The 2027 methodology incorporates assessment results across proficiency levels.

Kentucky's top 10 elementary schools (2027 U.S. News)

  1. Farmington Elementary, Mayfield (PK-6, 288 students)
  2. Sublimity Elementary, London (PK-5, 323 students)
  3. Greathouse/Shryock Traditional, Louisville (K-5, 607 students)
  4. G R Hampton Elementary, Barbourville (PK-5, 244 students)
  5. Cawood Elementary, Cawood (PK-8, 209 students)
  6. Murray Elementary, Murray (PK-3, 589 students)
  7. Burning Springs Elementary, Manchester (PK-6, 297 students)
  8. Norton Elementary, Louisville (K-5, 716 students)
  9. Woodlawn Elementary, Danville (PK-5, 657 students)
  10. Rosa Parks Elementary, Lexington (K-5, 681 students)

Farmington Elementary earned an overall score of 100 out of 100 overall score and ranked first in the state for reading proficiency. The school enrolls 61% economically disadvantaged students and posted 88% reading proficiency and 73% math proficiency.

The full Boone County district rankings are available at usnews.com.