Schools in Elizabethtown, KY — Complete Guide for Families
Families moving to Elizabethtown have access to three distinct school systems: the large Hardin County Schools district, the smaller and community-focused Elizabethtown Independent Schools, and on-post DoDEA schools at Fort Knox. Which system your child attends depends primarily on where you live — making school choice and home location decisions closely connected.
Hardin County Schools is a Purple Star district, meaning every one of its 28 campuses has been recognized for military-friendly enrollment policies, trained staff, and dedicated military family liaisons. This designation matters for Fort Knox families who want assurance that their children will be supported through PCS transitions, deployments, and the other realities of military life.
Below you will find detailed guides for each district and individual school, covering academics, military family resources, and the neighborhoods that feed into each school. Use these guides to make an informed decision about where to live based on your family's educational priorities.
School Districts
Hardin County Schools
The largest district in the area with 28 schools and approximately 14,714 students. Hardin County Schools serves most of the Elizabethtown area outside the city limits, plus Radcliff, Cecilia, Vine Grove, and surrounding communities. Every campus carries the Purple Star designation for military-family support.
Read full guide →Elizabethtown Independent Schools
A smaller, community-focused district serving approximately 2,465 students within the Elizabethtown city limits. Families often choose E-town Independent for its smaller class sizes, strong academic reputation, and tight-knit school community.
Read full guide →Fort Knox DoDEA Schools
Department of Defense Education Activity schools located on Fort Knox, serving eligible military dependents and DoD civilian families. DoDEA schools offer curriculum continuity for families who move between installations.
Read full guide →High Schools
Central Hardin High School
District: Hardin County Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 1,827 students
Location: Cecilia, KY (just south of Elizabethtown)
Central Hardin High School is the largest high school in the Hardin County Schools district, enrolling approximately 1,827 students in grades nine thr...
Read full guide →John Hardin High School
District: Hardin County Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 1,200 students
Location: Radcliff, KY
John Hardin High School serves students in the Radcliff area and surrounding communities, enrolling approximately 1,200 students in grades nine throug...
Read full guide →Elizabethtown High School
District: Elizabethtown Independent Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 799 students
Location: Downtown Elizabethtown, KY
Elizabethtown High School is the sole high school in the Elizabethtown Independent School District, serving approximately 799 students in grades nine ...
Read full guide →North Hardin High School
District: Hardin County Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 1,500 students
Location: Radcliff, KY
North Hardin High School is located in Radcliff, Kentucky, and is the Hardin County Schools campus closest to the gates of Fort Knox. Enrolling approx...
Read full guide →Elementary Schools
Heartland Elementary School
District: Hardin County Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 558 students
Feeds Into: East Hardin Middle School, Central Hardin High School
Heartland Elementary School is a Hardin County Schools campus located in Elizabethtown, serving approximately 558 students in kindergarten through fif...
Read full guide →Helmwood Heights Elementary School
District: Hardin County Schools
Enrollment: Approximately 307 students
Feeds Into: East Hardin Middle School, Central Hardin High School
Helmwood Heights Elementary School is a Hardin County Schools campus located right in the heart of the Helmwood Heights neighborhood in northwest Eliz...
Read full guide →Need Help Finding the Right School Zone?
School zoning in Elizabethtown depends on your exact home address, and district boundaries do not always follow obvious geographic lines. Austin Kutz at Compass and Key Group has helped dozens of families find homes in the right school district. As a veteran-owned agency with deep local knowledge, CKG can match your family's school priorities to the perfect neighborhood and home.
Call (270) 735-3897