Owensboro Independent, KY

Original Research by School Decision on Owensboro Independent

Owensboro Independent is the public school district serving Owensboro, Kentucky, and it covers the full span from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district operates a mix of conventional schools and newer alternative pathways that families should know about when evaluating where to live. With an enrollment that is moderately sized for a district of this grade band, the student body is diverse: roughly half of students are white, while the rest are primarily Hispanic, Black, or identify with two or more races, along with smaller shares of Asian and Native students.

Academically, the district's state assessment results for grades three through eight show that proficiency rates are below the majority in every tested subject. In math and English language arts, the share of students scoring at the proficient level or above generally hovers around a third to just over half, depending on the grade, with a noticeable dip in the middle school years. Science and social studies performance is lower, particularly in seventh-grade science, where less than a quarter of students met the proficiency benchmark. Parents looking at these numbers may want to ask the district about targeted interventions in the upper elementary and middle grades. High school state testing data was not available in this report, so a full picture of academic performance through graduation is incomplete. Publicly reported information indicates that the district's four-year graduation rate has risen over recent years, a positive trend worth noting.

The district stands out for the choices it offers. Alongside the traditional elementary schools, Owensboro Middle School, and Owensboro High School, the system operates two innovation schools that have become permanent fixtures: Owensboro Innovation Academy for high school and Owensboro Innovation Middle School. These schools use a project-based, STEAM-focused, competency-based model in smaller learning environments. For families who prefer a less conventional pedagogy, these innovation schools provide a distinct option within the same district boundary. The district also operates Hager Preschool, a dedicated pre-K program that gives families a public early childhood option.

Housing in Owensboro is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks. Typical home values and rents are below the national median, and the cost of renting is a modest share of area income, making the community relatively affordable for homebuyers and renters alike. The local economy and unemployment rate are broadly in line with national conditions.

Several pieces of context common to many district profiles are missing here. Data on the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals was not reported, nor were figures for special education and English learner populations, chronic absenteeism, or discipline. Those gaps limit a full understanding of the student support needs and school climate. A comparison to other districts within Daviess County was not possible due to data limitations.

For a parent or resident, Owensboro Independent offers a mix of traditional and innovative school settings within a single district. The academic results in the tested grades suggest room for growth, particularly in middle school, while the rising graduation rate offers a counterpoint. The existence of the innovation schools means the district is not a one-size-fits-all system; families can match their child to a more conventional or a project-based pathway. Prospective residents should visit the individual schools, especially the innovation campuses, and ask the district about the academic support strategies in place for the grades where achievement is lowest.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,970

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 15%

Black 14%

White 56%

Asian 3%

Two+ 13%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

43%

58%

Gr 4

49%

64%

Gr 5

42%

70%

Gr 6

40%

61%

Gr 7

29%

64%

Gr 8

27%

50%

Math

Gr 3

39%

59%

Gr 4

46%

68%

Gr 5

36%

66%

Gr 6

29%

48%

Gr 7

31%

59%

Gr 8

28%

48%

Science

Gr 4

36%

58%

Gr 7

17%

35%

Social studies

Gr 5

31%

51%

Gr 8

25%

44%

source_specific:wri

Gr 5

25%

51%

Gr 8

34%

52%

Schools in this District

13 schools are officially reported under this district.

Cravens Elementary School

Estes Elementary School

Foust Elementary School

Newton Parrish Elementary School

Owensboro High School

Sutton Elementary School

Hager Preschool

Emerson Academy

Kentucky TECH - Owensboro Campus

Owensboro Technical College

Owensboro Innovation Middle School

Owensboro Middle School

Owensboro Innovation Academy

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

44%

Grade 3

51%

Grade 4

43%

Grade 5

35%

Grade 6

38%

Grade 7

33%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

47%

Grade 3

52%

Grade 4

49%

Grade 5

46%

Grade 6

38%

Grade 7

33%

Grade 8

Science

2 grades reported

41%

Grade 4

21%

Grade 7

Social Studies

2 grades reported

36%

Grade 5

30%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$211,114

Year-over-year change+2.7%

Range across 2 ZIP codes$207K to $216K

vs. state typical0.91x

vs. national typical0.57x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (2 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
42301	Owensboro	$207K	+2.6%	56.8%
42303	Owensboro	$216K	+2.9%	43.2%

Rental Market

Typical monthly rent$1,191/mo

Year-over-year change+0.6%

Rent trend (12 months)

ZIP code rents (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Rent/mo	YoY	Weight
42301	Owensboro	$1,191	+0.6%	56.8%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$1,065/mo

Home price / national median income2.5x

Annual rent / national median income17.1%

Rent exceeds est. mortgage by$126/mo

Comparison

State typical home value$232,231 (-0.3% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.