Ascension Academy

Summary:

Ascension Academy is a very small public high school in Shelbyville, Kentucky, serving grades 7-12 with only 27 students. The school is part of the Shelby County School District, which is ranked 136 out of 159 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ascension Academy faces significant challenges, with extremely low student performance, high poverty rates, and an exceptionally small student-teacher ratio. The school has a 0% proficiency rate in ACT English, Math, and Reading for 11th graders, significantly lower than the Shelby County and Kentucky state averages. Its 16.7% four-year graduation rate is alarmingly low compared to the surrounding high schools, such as Martha Layne Collins High School (89.4%) and Shelby County High School (93.3%).

Ascension Academy's performance has declined over time, with its statewide ranking dropping from 260 out of 290 Kentucky high schools in 2013-2014 to 286 out of 290 in 2023-2024. The school's high poverty rates, ranging from 66.67% to 77.78% free and reduced lunch recipients, and its exceptionally small student-teacher ratio, from 1.5 to 5.7, suggest that it faces significant challenges in providing a quality education to its students and may require substantial interventions and support to improve its outcomes.

Detail:

Public 7-12

1361 Frankfort Rd.
Shelbyville, KY 40065

(502) 647-4677

District: Shelby County

SchoolDigger Rank:
286^th of 290 Kentucky High Schools

Student/teacher ratio: 4.9

Number of students: 32

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.0%

Hispanic:

31.3%

African American:

9.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 78.1%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Ascension Academy ranks worse than 98.6% of high schools in Kentucky. It also ranks last among 3 ranked high schools in the Shelby County School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 2.65. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Ascension Academy who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Ascension Academy has the smallest high school student body size in the Shelby County School District. Racial makeup is: White (50%), Hispanic (31.3%), African American (9.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 78.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Shelby County School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ascension Academy is 4.9, which is the lowest among 3 high schools in the Shelby County School District! (See more...)

Compare Ascension Academy employs 6.4 full-time teachers.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Ascension Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Ascension Academy 286^th of 290 Kentucky public high schools. (See Ascension Academy in the ranking list.)

Shelby County:

SchoolDigger ranks Shelby County 136^th of 159 Kentucky school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Ascension Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	KY State Percentile
2013	2.62	285^th	291	2.1%
2014	5.12	260^th	290	10.3%
2016	3.57	274^th	288	4.9%
2024	2.65	286^th	290	1.4%

See the entire list of Kentucky High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Kentucky Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Kentucky Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Ascension Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1991	0	0	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	0
1992	18	4	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	22
1993	20	5	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	26
1994	19	4	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	23
1995	27	5	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	32
1996	27	5	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	32
1997	22	7	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	29
1998	22	8	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	30
1999	33	3	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	36
2000	53	8	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2001	39	6	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	45
2002	48	12	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2003	48	12	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	61
2004	44	11	0	2	1	n/a	n/a	0	58
2005	46	10	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	59
2006	40	11	0	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	57
2007	31	14	0	7	0	n/a	n/a	3	55
2008	27	11	0	8	0	n/a	n/a	2	48
2009	26	15	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	4	56
2010	32	11	0	8	0	n/a	n/a	7	58
2011	24	11	0	6	0	0	4	0	45
2012	46	17	0	24	0	0	3	0	90
2013	24	8	0	12	0	0	3	0	47
2014	21	11	0	3	0	0	3	0	38
2015	14	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	19
2016	16	12	0	5	0	0	1	0	34
2017	6	5	1	6	0	0	1	0	19
2018	11	3	0	2	0	0	3	0	19
2019	14	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	17
2020	8	3	0	2	0	0	2	0	15
2021	5	6	0	3	0	0	1	0	15
2022	9	5	0	2	0	0	2	0	18
2023	13	6	0	5	0	0	3	0	27
2024	16	3	0	10	0	0	3	0	32

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ascension Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	0	0.0	0.0	n/a
1992	22	4.2	5.2	n/a
1993	26	4.1	6.3	n/a
1994	23	4.0	5.8	n/a
1995	32	4.0	8.0	n/a
1996	32	4.0	8.0	n/a
1997	29	4.0	7.3	82.8
1998	30	4.1	7.3	66.7
1999	36	4.2	8.6	58.3
2000	61	3.9	15.6	52.5
2001	45	6.3	7.1	51.1
2002	61	8.0	7.6	95.1
2003	61	8.0	7.6	95.1
2004	58	8.0	7.3	n/a
2005	59	7.0	8.4	n/a
2006	57	7.0	8.1	94.7
2007	55	10.0	5.5	69.2
2008	48	10.0	4.8	78.3
2009	56	8.0	7.0	63.5
2010	58	6.0	9.6	80.4
2011	45	7.0	6.4	82.2
2012	90	7.0	12.8	56.7
2013	47	5.0	9.4	78.7
2014	38	7.5	5.0	81.6
2015	19	4.0	4.7	84.2
2016	34	6.0	5.6	85.3
2017	19	5.0	3.8	89.5
2018	19	6.8	2.7	73.7
2019	17	13.5	1.2	58.8
2020	15	9.3	1.6	53.3
2021	15	9.5	1.5	66.7
2022	18	9.0	2.0	72.2
2023	27	4.6	5.7	77.8
2024	32	6.4	4.9	78.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ascension Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1991	0	0.0	0.0	n/a
1992	22	4.2	5.2	n/a
1993	26	4.1	6.3	n/a
1994	23	4.0	5.8	n/a
1995	32	4.0	8.0	n/a
1996	32	4.0	8.0	n/a
1997	29	4.0	7.3	82.8
1998	30	4.1	7.3	66.7
1999	36	4.2	8.6	58.3
2000	61	3.9	15.6	52.5
2001	45	6.3	7.1	51.1
2002	61	8.0	7.6	95.1
2003	61	8.0	7.6	95.1
2004	58	8.0	7.3	n/a
2005	59	7.0	8.4	n/a
2006	57	7.0	8.1	94.7
2007	55	10.0	5.5	69.2
2008	48	10.0	4.8	78.3
2009	56	8.0	7.0	63.5
2010	58	6.0	9.6	80.4
2011	45	7.0	6.4	82.2
2012	90	7.0	12.8	56.7
2013	47	5.0	9.4	78.7
2014	38	7.5	5.0	81.6
2015	19	4.0	4.7	84.2
2016	34	6.0	5.6	85.3
2017	19	5.0	3.8	89.5
2018	19	6.8	2.7	73.7
2019	17	13.5	1.2	58.8
2020	15	9.3	1.6	53.3
2021	15	9.5	1.5	66.7
2022	18	9.0	2.0	72.2
2023	27	4.6	5.7	77.8
2024	32	6.4	4.9	78.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ascension Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	17	27	58.8%
African American	2	6	200%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	0	5
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	14	13	7.1%
Two or More Races	1	3	200%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	58.8%	77.8%	19%

Schools Near Ascension Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				KSA Mathematics (2024)				KSA Reading (2024)				KSA Writing (2024)		KSA Social Studies (2024)		KSA Editing and Mechanics (2024)		ACT English (2024)	ACT Mathematics (2024)	ACT Reading (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2022)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	KSA Mathematics 6th Grade	KSA Mathematics 7th Grade	KSA Mathematics 8th Grade	KSA Mathematics 10th Grade	KSA Reading 6th Grade	KSA Reading 7th Grade	KSA Reading 8th Grade	KSA Reading 10th Grade	KSA Writing 8th Grade	KSA Writing 11th Grade	KSA Social Studies 8th Grade	KSA Social Studies 11th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 8th Grade	KSA Editing and Mechanics 11th Grade	ACT English 11th Grade	ACT Mathematics 11th Grade	ACT Reading 11th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures: Total	Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Non-Personnel Spending from Federal Funds	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Personnel Spending from State and Local Funds	Non-Personnel from State and Local Funds	Sub-total Spending from State and Local Funds
Ascension Academy	Public	7-12	1361 Frankfort Rd.	Shelbyville	40065	Shelby County	Shelby County	No	No	No	No	(502) 647-4677	32	6	4.9	78.1%	16 (50.0%)	3 (9.4%)	10 (31.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (9.4%)	2.7	286^th of 290 public high schools	1.4%					(n/a)															0.0	0.0	0.0
Shelby County High School	Public	9-12	1701 Frankfort Rd	Shelbyville	40065	Shelby County	Shelby County	No	No	No	No	(502) 633-2344	998	50	19.8	49.5%	617 (61.8%)	59 (5.9%)	249 (24.9%)	5 (0.5%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	61 (6.1%)	34.3	191^st of 290 public high schools	34.1%		23.8	210^th of 276 public high schools	23.9%	19				34.0				36.0		32.0		22.0		35.0	39.0	21.0	38.0	$34,121	$631	$418	$1,050	$9,613	$2,094	$11,708
Shelby County Area Technology Center	Public	8-12	230 Rocket Lane	Shelbyville	40065	Shelby County	Kentucky Technical System	No	No	No	No	(502) 633-6554	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Martha Layne Collins High School	Public	9-12	801 Discovery Blvd	Shelbyville	40065	Shelby County	Shelby County	No	No	No	No	(502) 647-1160	1,208	65	18.7	42.5%	676 (56.0%)	84 (7.0%)	363 (30.0%)	11 (0.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (6.0%)	36	188^th of 290 public high schools	35.2%		38.3	172^nd of 276 public high schools	37.7%	16				27.0				32.0		31.0		25.0		36.0	44.0	28.0	40.0	$13,273	$445	$409	$854	$8,771	$1,864	$10,635
Eminence High School	Public	6-12	254 West Broadway St	Eminence	40019	Henry County	Eminence Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(502) 845-5427	535	40	13.2	97.8%	407 (76.1%)	22 (4.1%)	55 (10.3%)	5 (0.9%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (8.0%)	67.4	82^nd of 290 public high schools	71.7%		51	120^th of 276 public high schools	56.5%	38	24.0	28.0	23.0	34.0	42.0	49.0	49.0	61.0	55.0	64.0	38.0	39.0	45.0	45.0	50.0	33.0	42.0	$16,071	$515	$864	$1,379	$10,259	$2,875	$12,873
Henry County High School	Public	9-12	1120 Eminence Rd	New Castle	40050	Henry County	Henry County	No	No	No	Yes	(502) 845-8670	617	40	15.6	49.1%	551 (89.3%)	8 (1.3%)	37 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.4%)	50.3	138^th of 290 public high schools	52.4%		33.1	188^th of 276 public high schools	31.9%	50				28.0				43.0		56.0		43.0		39.0	40.0	23.0	38.0	$16,732	$782	$759	$1,540	$9,936	$2,818	$12,754
Spencer County High School	Public	9-12	520 Taylorsville Rd	Taylorsville	40071	Spencer County	Spencer County	No	No	No	Yes	(502) 477-3255	971	54	18.1	35.3%	874 (90.0%)	14 (1.4%)	47 (4.8%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	28 (2.9%)	68.2	77^th of 290 public high schools	73.4%		61.7	82^nd of 276 public high schools	70.3%	5				35.0				44.0		57.0		43.0		55.0	45.0	37.0	52.0	$11,516	$916	$570	$1,487	$8,277	$1,753	$10,029
Western Hills High School	Public	9-12	100 Doctors Dr	Frankfort	40601	Franklin County	Franklin County	No	No	No	No	(502) 875-8400	855	45	19.0	45.4%	657 (76.8%)	39 (4.6%)	72 (8.4%)	21 (2.5%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (7.4%)	51.2	134^th of 290 public high schools	53.8%		48	137^th of 276 public high schools	50.4%	3				31.0				41.0		54.0		37.0		43.0	41.0	23.0	43.0	$14,548	$556	$168	$8,227	$5,862	$1,138	$14,537
Frankfort High School	Public	9-12	328 Shelby St	Frankfort	40601	Franklin County	Frankfort Independent	No	No	No	Yes	(502) 875-8655	313	24	13.0	41.2%	220 (70.3%)	49 (15.7%)	17 (5.4%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.7%)	43.9	156^th of 290 public high schools	46.2%		45	153^rd of 276 public high schools	44.6%	3				34.0				42.0		34.0		22.0		32.0	46.0	30.0	49.0	$22,257	$3,066	$1,376	$4,443	$10,674	$4,108	$14,827
Panther Transition Academy	Public, Virtual	7-12	328 Shelby Street	Frankfort	40601	Franklin County	Frankfort Independent	No	No	Yes	No	(502) 875-8655	16	1	16.0	68.8%	12 (75.0%)	1 (6.3%)	2 (12.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (6.3%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Ascension Academy

How many students attend Ascension Academy?

In the 2023-24 school year, 32 students attended Ascension Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Ascension Academy?

Students at Ascension Academy are 50% White, 31% Hispanic, 9% African American, 9% Two or more races.

What district is Ascension Academy in?

Shelby County

Is Ascension Academy a good school?

Ascension Academy ranks in the bottom 1.4% of Kentucky high schools.

Rate Ascension Academy!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Kentucky Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.