At a glance
Reported students
1,213
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
73
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
16.6:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
09–12
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Kentucky high enrollment
88th percentile
Compared with 441 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
474.5
Southwestern High School: 1,213 reported students.
State peer staffing position
63rd percentile
16.6:1 reported; state peer median 15.2:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 1,287
- Teachers (FTE)
- 76
- Student–teacher ratio
- 16.9:1
What the reported data says about Southwestern High School
Southwestern High School is a public high school serving grades 09–12 in Somerset. It is one of 14 current school records connected to Pulaski County. NCES reports 1,213 students for 2024–25.
Among 441 high schools in Kentucky with comparable records, this school is larger than the reported median of 191 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 88th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 16.6:1, close to the Kentucky median of 15.2:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are White (85.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (7.1%). English learners represent 0.8% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9.4%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports AP student enrollment, gifted and talented programming, computer science. The school reported 10 AP courses. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking Southwestern High School
- 1How do the reported 16.6:1 student–teacher ratio and 73 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Have the reported academic programs changed since the 2021–22 CRDC collection?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 3 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 0.8%
- Students with disabilities
- 9.4%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 61.2%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 3
- Nurses (FTE)
- 0
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White85.6%
- Hispanic7.1%
- Black1.5%
- Asian1.7%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.1%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0%
- Multiracial4%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
AP student enrollment
Students enrolled
10 distinct courses reported
Gifted and talented
Offered
Computer science
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Pulaski County
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Pulaski County High School
High · Grades 09–12
1,113 reported students
Eagle Academy
High · Grades 06–12
38 reported students
Southern Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
871 reported students
Northern Middle School
Middle · Grades 06–08
797 reported students
Southern Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
611 reported students
Oak Hill Elementary School
Elementary · Grades KG–05
551 reported students
Public schools near Southwestern High School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak Hill Elementary School Elementary · Pulaski County | KG–05 | 551 | 0.2 mi |
| Pulaski County Area Technology Center High · Kentucky Tech System | 08–12 | 0 | 2.1 mi |
| Southern Elementary School Elementary · Pulaski County | KG–05 | 611 | 2.5 mi |
| Eagle Academy High · Pulaski County | 06–12 | 38 | 3.3 mi |
| Somerset High School High · Somerset Independent | 09–12 | 526 | 3.8 mi |
| Pulaski County High School High · Pulaski County | 09–12 | 1,113 | 4.3 mi |
Frequently asked questions about Southwestern High School
What grades does Southwestern High School serve?
Southwestern High School reports grades 09–12 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as a high school in Pulaski County.
How many students attend Southwestern High School?
Southwestern High School reported 1,213 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 88th percentile among 441 Kentucky high schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 1,287 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at Southwestern High School?
The calculated ratio is 16.6:1, based on 1,213 students and 73 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Kentucky median for the same school level is 15.2:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is Southwestern High School a public, charter, or magnet school?
Southwestern High School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Pulaski County attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of Southwestern High School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
61.2% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is Southwestern High School in?
Southwestern High School is part of Pulaski County, based in Somerset, KY, which operates 14 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near Southwestern High School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Oak Hill Elementary School (0.2 mi), Pulaski County Area Technology Center (2.1 mi), Southern Elementary School (2.5 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.