JCBE Approves Purchase of Land for New West Louisville Elementary School

New school will replace 2 deteriorated facilities 

October 20, 2020 – The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) approved the purchase of land at 18th and Broadway to build a new, state-of-the-art elementary school connected to the YMCA.  This is the latest step in a major district facilities plan to bring new innovative learning spaces to Jefferson County Public Schools.  The plan to build four new schools - three elementary schools and one middle school - and revitalize the Academy @ Shawnee was first approved by the board in 2019.

“This is just the beginning. We want to give every child the great learning opportunities they deserve, through excellent instruction and support to meet all of their learning and personal needs, in the highest quality school facilities,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio. “The district must replicate investments like these dozens of times over the next decade, as a foundational element of the JCPS renaissance to change outcomes for our students.”

The new school, estimated to cost $19,664,000, will be complete in 2023.  Students who currently attend Roosevelt-Perry and Wheatley Elementary Schools will attend the new facility upon completion.

“Construction of this modern, 21st-century elementary school in West Louisville is part of a long-term plan to replace end-of-life buildings in all parts of Jefferson County with modern, state-of-the art learning centers,” said JCBE Chair Diane Porter. “This will not wait.”

Thirty two Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) facilities are considered to have end-of-life systems. The newest high school in the district, Ballard High School, was built in 1968, more than 50 years ago. The last middle or high school built in West Louisville was Central High School, which broke ground in 1952.