(Picture Source: Google Earth)
Dawson Springs High School has been named one of the “Best Kentucky High Schools,” placing 29th out of 225 high schools in the state in the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings.
In 2025, 393 high schools across the Commonwealth were eligible for consideration. Additionally, Dawson Springs High School achieved a national ranking of 3,077 out of 17,901 high schools recognized in the United States.
Mark White, vice president of US News and World Report, said in a written statement that Dawson Springs High School earned high national and metro-area rankings in the 2025-2026 Best High Schools.
As for the metro-area rankings, Dawson Springs is included in the Madisonville, KY Metro Area, where it is ranked first. Madisonville North Hopkins High School is rated second in the Madisonville Metro Area, placing 105th in the state, while Hopkins County Central was classified as third after a 125th showing in the Commonwealth’s rankings.
Each year, U.S. News and World Report ranks high schools nationwide based on six factors: college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student achievement, breadth of college curriculum, and graduation rate. These categories determine a school’s placement both nationally and within its state.
Dawson Springs High School holds the top spot in Kentucky and shares first place nationally for State Assessment Performance. The school also ranks third in the Commonwealth and 186th in the nation for State Assessment Proficiency.
With 143 students enrolled in grades 9 through 12, Dawson Springs High School maintains a 13-to-1 student-teacher ratio, all while 63 percent of its students are classified as economically disadvantaged.
Superintendent Leonard Whalen said ranking 29th out of 225 high schools in the state is a very nice accomplishment, and it is a tribute to their teachers and staff.
