Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) demonstrated steady academic progress during the 2025–26 school year, marked by reading gains across all school levels, higher postsecondary rates, higher graduation rates, and a significant reduction in the district’s lowest-rated schools, according to Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA) data.
The data released Thursday highlight a continued drop in schools receiving "Red" status—the state’s lowest performance tier—falling to 33 schools this year, down from 41 last year and 54 in 2023–24 (20% and 39% reduction, respectively).
"We are encouraged by our reading gains and the steady drop in our lowest-performing schools," said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood. "At the same time, overall proficiency remains below district aspirations. Our data clearly show where we must confront persistent achievement gaps with urgency. We are responding with stronger instruction, targeted coaching, and direct resources where our students need them most."
Key Assessment Highlights
Reading Growth: Proficiency improved across all school levels: elementary reached 38% (up from 36%), middle school rose to 36% (up from 35%), and high school increased to 35% (up from 34%).
High School Success: Postsecondary readiness climbed to 89.3, while the district graduation rate reached 89.4%.
English Learner (EL) Progress: The district earned "Blue" ratings (the state's highest level) in elementary and middle schools, and a "Green" rating in high schools.
Mathematics Need: Math proficiency remained relatively stable across grades at 32% for elementary, 29% for middle, and 27% for high school, highlighting an area requiring accelerated improvement and district focus.
Federal Accountability Designations
Federal designations show both progress in turning around underperforming schools and areas requiring more intensive support.
Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI): A total of 38 JCPS schools were identified for CSI status in 2025–26, down from 41 in 2024–25. Following the closure of King Elementary, 37 CSI schools currently remain. Eight schools successfully exited CSI status this year, while six schools were newly identified for CSI.
Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) & Additional Targeted Support and Improvement (ATSI): Twenty-two schools were designated for TSI (up from 9), while 16 schools were identified for ATSI (down from 18).
Of the 38 total schools identified for TSI and ATSI, 32 were designated due to performance outcomes among students with disabilities. JCPS will use these federal designations to directly target resources and strengthen academic interventions for student groups with persistent achievement gaps.
Customized Planning: Conducting needs assessments and Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) reviews to establish specific priorities, particularly for newly identified CSI schools and schools in their third year of ATSI designation.
Differentiated Support: Delivering targeted academic coaching, specialized professional learning, and instructional resources to CSI, TSI, and ATSI schools, with dedicated focus on strategies for students with disabilities.
Instructional Oversight: Utilizing Focused Instructional Walkthroughs to monitor classroom implementation in real time and provide immediate feedback to educators.
Core Academic Focus: Continuing the district’s Every Student Reads initiative, strengthening Tier 1 mathematics instruction and interventions, and deepening family engagement partnerships.
Continuous Monitoring: Executing CSIP Implementation & Impact cycles to routinely examine student achievement data against instructional strategies and adjust district support as needed.
While overall district accountability ratings remain in the “Orange” performance tier across elementary, middle, and high school levels, key indicators show growth toward reaching “Yellow” status and closing achievement gaps.
“These results show clear momentum, but test scores are just one measure of our growth,” Yearwood said. “We’re celebrating our reading gains and improved school ratings while confronting our remaining challenges with urgency. Our goal remains absolute: high-quality instruction and meaningful growth for every student, every year.”