Schools Near Fort Knox for Military Families

School quality and transition support are top concerns for military families PCSing to Fort Knox. The good news: the Elizabethtown and Fort Knox area offers three distinct school systems, all with strong support for military children. Whether you live on-post or off, your kids will have access to quality education with programs specifically designed for the unique challenges of military family life.

Three School Systems

Hardin County Schools

The largest district in the area, Hardin County Schools serves 14,714 students across 28 schools. Every school in the district has earned the Purple Star Award — a military-friendly designation recognizing schools that provide support for military-connected students. This includes designated school liaison officers, transition programs for students arriving mid-year, and staff trained in the unique social-emotional needs of military children.

Key high schools: Central Hardin High School, John Hardin High School, North Hardin High School

Elizabethtown Independent Schools

Elizabethtown Independent is a smaller, focused district with 2,465 students across 8 schools. Many families prefer the smaller class sizes and tight-knit community feel. Elizabethtown High School is the district's high school, located downtown.

Fort Knox DoDEA Schools

DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) schools are located on Fort Knox and serve military children living on-post. These schools are specifically designed for the military community, with staff who understand frequent moves and deployments. DoDEA schools follow their own curriculum and standards.

Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity

Kentucky participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, which helps smooth the transition between schools during PCS moves. This compact addresses issues like enrollment, records transfer, graduation requirements, and course placement — reducing the administrative headaches that military families often face.

School Liaison Officers

Fort Knox has a School Liaison Officer (SLO) who serves as the connection between military families and local school districts. The SLO can help with school selection, enrollment questions, special education needs, and transition support. Contact the SLO through Army Community Service at Fort Knox.

Choosing the Right School

Your school choice depends largely on where you live:

• On-post: DoDEA schools (automatic enrollment for on-post residents)
• Radcliff: Hardin County Schools — North Hardin or John Hardin zones
• Elizabethtown (most areas): Hardin County Schools — Central Hardin zone
• Downtown E-town: Elizabethtown Independent — smaller classes, focused district