Hardin County Schools — Elizabethtown, KY School Guide

Hardin County Schools offers a comprehensive academic program from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district provides career and technical education pathways, dual credit partnerships with Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, and Advanced Placement courses across its high schools. Central Hardin High School and North Hardin High School both offer extensive AP course menus, while John Hardin High School has expanded its career and technical education offerings in recent years. At the elementary level, the district uses a standards-based curriculum aligned with Kentucky Academic Standards, and most elementary schools offer gifted and talented programming. Middle schools serve as a bridge with exploratory electives, team-based instruction, and early career awareness programs. The district also operates the Hardin County Schools Early College and Career Center, giving high school students the opportunity to earn college credits and industry certifications before graduation. Special education services are robust, with dedicated staff across all schools and specialized programs at Lincoln Trail Elementary and other campuses.

Hardin County Schools holds the Purple Star designation across all of its campuses, a recognition awarded to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and families. This is not a symbolic gesture — it reflects concrete policies and programs. Every school in the district has a designated military liaison who helps incoming families navigate enrollment, transfer credits, and connect with community resources. The district has streamlined enrollment procedures specifically designed for PCS families, allowing students to register and begin classes quickly even when paperwork from a previous duty station is still in transit. Hardin County Schools participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which ensures that course placement, graduation requirements, and extracurricular eligibility are handled fairly for students who transfer between states. With Fort Knox located just minutes from many district schools, Hardin County has decades of experience serving military families and understands the unique challenges of frequent relocations, deployments, and reintegration. The district's School Liaison Officer works closely with Fort Knox to coordinate services and keep communication open between the installation and the school system.

Hardin County Schools covers a large geographic area, and the specific school your child attends depends on your home address. Families living in Pear Orchard and the Ring Road corridor are typically zoned for Heartland Elementary and Central Hardin High School. Homes in Helmwood Heights feed into Helmwood Heights Elementary and Central Hardin High. The Foxborough Estates and The Cedars neighborhoods on the south side often zone to G.C. Burkhead Elementary and Central Hardin High. Families in Radcliff and areas near Fort Knox attend North Hardin or John Hardin High. If you are considering a home in the E-town area and school zoning is a priority, it is worth verifying the exact zoning with the district before making an offer, as boundaries can shift with enrollment changes.