Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary
In order to develop lifelong learners, our community at Breckinridge-Franklin Elementary School (BFES) will cultivate a compassionate learning environment that sparks curiosity and promotes perseverance in every student. Breckinridge-Franklin uses a rigorous ELA (Expeditionary Learning) and math (Illustrative Mathematics) curriculum that challenges and engages students to meet the depth of the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS).
School Highlights
Participates in small class size program
Two-acre campus with outdoor play space and new playground equipment
Offers related arts classes each week in art, music, library media and technology, physical education (PE), and communications
Offers every student an LTE-enabled Chromebook to use during their tenure at BFES
Student activities: basketball, cheerleading, band, volleyball, Girls on the Run, Environmental Club, Quick Recall, and Future Problem Solvers (which has won several Mayor’s Cup competitions)
Chenoweth Elementary
At Chenoweth Elementary, we envision our school to be a safe, secure place where all students can reach their full potential. We ask our Chargers to be safe, be kind, and be respectful and responsible every day. We live by our school pledge, which states, "I am a responsible member of the Chenoweth Family. I'll be the best person I can be. I'll help you, and you'll help me.”
School Highlights
Special areas: Art, physical education (PE), library, music, and world language
Award-winning and newly renovated outdoor classroom
A focus on meeting individual student needs: Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC), Extended School Services (ESS), and full-time Gifted and Talented interventionist
Extracurricular activities: Academic teams, band, orchestra, Safety Patrol, athletics, Jump Rope for Heart, Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), Environmental Club, and various clubs based on student interests (e.g., Kindness Club, Comic Club, League of Logic, Ukulele Club, Books and Beats, and Run Club)
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bronze Award, No Place for Hate School, and Leader In Me
Purple Star Award for programming to support our military-connected youth
Social Emotional Learning (SEL), including monthly counseling core instruction, monthly school-wide morning meetings, daily class meetings with focus on community, full-time mental health practitioner and two counselors, and the use of Character Strong and Leader in Me
Strong family engagement and partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), monthly collaborative PTA meetings, family nights, garden parties, showcases of learning, dances, and more
Field Elementary
The mission of Field Elementary is to ensure learning for all students through a community of support. We work collaboratively using a guaranteed, viable, and relevant curriculum to ensure that all students will be proficient and well-rounded and have a thirst for learning in a safe and protective environment.
School Highlights
Recognized for academic excellence as a No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Blue Ribbon School and a Model Professional Learning School
Provides distinguished teaching through daily enrichment and intervention programs for students, including What I Need (WIN), Primary Talent Pool, and Gifted and Talented Programs
Provides student leadership opportunities through the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), Beta Club, and community-based service projects
Support from Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Crescent Hill businesses, and various community organizations
Mandarin Chinese classes; musical theatre; Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) with 3D printing; library media; and physical education (PE)
Monthly collaborations with the PTA and Family Resource Center (FRC) to plan family nights, including Fall Festival, Field Trek, Ugly Sweater Dance, STEAM Night, Comic Con, Family Health Night, Chinese New Year, Trunk-N-Eat, and an annual musical theatre performance
Extracurricular activities: 3D printing, Quick Recall, Problem Solving, Academic Teams, STLP, 24-hour film festival, LEGO We Do, Chinese Club, Kicks Soccer Academy, chess, Morning Magic Club, Drama Club, band, orchestra, robotics, and an annual musical theatre performance
Sports teams: Basketball, soccer, cross-country, floor hockey, and basketball
Alex R. Kennedy Elementary
"Every Child Matters" reflects our mission to provide an educational foundation and environment that foster positive self-esteem and support learning to help our students become productive, responsible, caring members of society. We strive daily to create a school environment that enhances self-esteem, increases student achievement, and promotes joy in learning. Our rigorous literacy curriculum and inquiry-based math and science programs will maximize learning for greater academic success.
School Highlights
Biweekly Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) instruction in a collaborative setting between the lab and classroom educators
Friday electives in STEAM, art, physical education (PE), and library
Participates in the 5x5 Fund for the Arts Grant in collaboration with StageOne Family Theatre, University of Louisville (UofL) Repertory Company, Kentucky Shakespeare, and the Louisville Orchestra
St. Matthews Elementary
At St. Matthews Elementary, we are committed to empowering the learning and character of our students. We believe that every person matters and every moment counts. Our mission is for students to leave St. Matthews Elementary as compassionate and courageous lifelong learners with a diverse knowledge and a vision for their future.
School Highlights
Nationally recognized School of Character (2020)
Provides art; music; Spanish; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); and a robust Advance Program/Gifted and Talented Program
Offers every student the opportunity to participate in a class musical
Named a Parent Involvement School of Excellence by the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Student activities: Academic Team, band, basketball, cheerleading, orchestra, cross-country, track, Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), Safety Patrol, chess club, robotics, art club, and community-based service-learning projects
Award-winning Character Education Program with a House System
Magnet Schools
What magnet schools are in the district?
There are 11 districtwide elementary magnet schools. These schools accept students from across the district and do not fall within a zone.
Brandeis Elementary offers the Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Magnet, engaging students in projectbased learning opportunities.
J. Graham Brown School is a SelfDirected Learning school, encouraging reasoned minds and educated hearts through independence, empathy, innovation, and advocacy.
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary offers the Montessori Program. This self-directed learning fosters rigorous, self-motivated growth in all areas of development.
Hawthorne Elementary is the only Spanish Immersion Magnet in JCPS. Every student who comes to Hawthorne will experience a Spanish Immersion learning environment in all grades.
Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School (LPAS) is Kentucky’s only public elementary magnet school focused on the performing arts. Magnet Schools Fast Facts Application required
Whitney Young Elementary is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school that encourages students to become thinkers and inquirers through the comprehensive and globally recognized IB Primary Years Programme (PYP).
JCPS also has five boundary-based magnet elementary schools, Audubon, Carter, Foster, Greathouse/Shryock, and Schaffner, offering the Traditional Program as their magnet. Eligibility is dependent on your student’s home address. The Traditional Program provides a highly structured, back-to-basics learning environment with the following:
High academic standards, proper conduct, citizenship, and development of self-discipline
Nightly homework and strict adherence to school rules (including dress codes)
Opportunities for students to build basic knowledge and gain high competence in fundamental skills
School Profiles
Audubon Traditional Elementary
Audubon Traditional provides a challenging academic program in a structured, self-disciplined environment that promotes traditional values, high expectations, and data-driven instruction. Our reading and math instruction are standards-based, researched-based, and integrated with technology.
School Highlights
Active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) that donates many hours of service and purchases educational materials
Family Resource Center (FRC) tasked with helping students and families overcome non-academic learning barriers
Fosters community involvement through such organizations as Junior Achievement (JA), Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cultural Arts Assemblies/ Programs, and more
Curriculum offerings: art and music, band and orchestra, computer lab, library, chorus, physical education (PE)/health, and science lab
Extracurricular activities: ASL, archery, Art Club, basketball, Beta Club, cheerleading, chorus, cross-country, Drama Club, field hockey, Gardening Club, Health Promotion Schools of Excellence (HSPE), student council, and Yoga Club
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Brandeis Elementary
Welcome to Brandeis Elementary, the STEAM School! At Brandeis, perseverance defines who we are as a community of learners! As a school community, it is our unwavering commitment to deliver top-notch, challenging instruction within a nurturing environment, ensuring that every student thrives academically, socially, and creatively. We have cultivated a dynamic atmosphere where academic success, social advancement, and innovative thinking flourish. At Brandeis Elementary, we don't just educate; we empower students to conquer challenges, embrace curiosity, and excel in every facet of life.
School Highlights
Districtwide magnet school where students are selected by random draw
Classrooms that integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) with an interactive twist, complemented by a state-of-theart Innovation Lab
Students who take charge of their learning journey, honing problem-solving skills and critical thinking
A dedicated Sensory Lab that aids emotional exploration and supports social and emotional development
Project-Based Learning (PBL) that immerses students in real-world scenarios, augmented by enriching before- and after-school programs
Curriculum that includes student rotations to the following special area classes: Art, music, world language, and STEAM Lab
Extracurricular activities: Basketball, track, soccer, debate, Fusal, Quick Recall, drama, LEGO Robotics, Girls on the Run, Chess, Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), and so much more
J. Graham Brown School
Student Enrollment: 292 (K–5)
Phone: (502) 485-8216
Address: 546 S. First Street, Louisville, KY 40202
The J. Graham Brown School, the original magnet school, is a districtwide magnet school for students who thrive in a Self-Directed Learning environment. Our mission is to foster independence, cultivate empathy, ignite innovation, and inspire advocacy within a culturally responsive learning environment. J. Graham Brown School students have the “reasoned minds and educated hearts” of self-directed, lifelong learners.
School Highlights
Districtwide Self-Directed Learning Magnet School serving kindergarten through grade-twelve students
Provides an academic program that cultivates critical, open-minded, and creative thinkers who are willing to take risks and are eager for new knowledge
Offers a learning environment that develops compassionate, tolerant, and respectful human beings who value cultural diversity and contribute to the community
Grade-level academic performance and age-appropriate social skills that are expected for success in this informal educational setting
Student voice, problem solving, and advocacy through Project-Based Learning (PBL)
Student goal setting and self-monitoring of progress through student-led conferences
Access to a variety of walking field trips throughout downtown—museums, parks, and more
Extracurricular Activities
Sports: Soccer, cross-country, basketball, cheerleading, and volleyball
Academic competitions: Quick Recall, Written Assessments, Future Problem Solving, robotics team, and Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)
Clubs: Beta Club, Drama (including an annual schoolwide play), and Not Your Stereotypical Kids
Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) AfterSchool Enrichment Program
Carter Traditional Elementary
Jessie R. Carter Traditional Elementary has served students in its predominantly African-American community since 1922. Our mission is to embrace the whole child by providing rigorous academics in a structured, safe environment while promoting self-discipline, character development, and service leadership. We pride ourselves in high accountability for academic achievement, behavior, and parental involvement. We provide standards- and research-based content, data-driven instruction integrated with technology, and ongoing opportunities for kindness, laughter, friendship, and fun!
School Highlights
Active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) with many volunteer opportunities
Full-time Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinator and full-time mental health practitioner tasked with helping students and families overcome nonacademic barriers to learning
Strict adherence to school rules, including dress code
Extracurricular activities and clubs: Basketball, cheerleading, dance/step team, cross-country, soccer, band, orchestra, Men of Quality, Girls on the Run, Art Club, Extended School Services (ESS), and quarterly Family Engagement Nights
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary has an educational setting that offers instruction rooted in the Montessori Method and Social Justice. Students are taught using scientifically designed Montessori materials to match individual learning levels. We provide our students with as many community and cultural experiences as possible and relate learning activities to real-world situations so that all students grow, reach their potential, and succeed.
School Highlights
Montessori approach to education
Provides hands-on and experiential learning that is accelerated or individually paced for optimum educational success
Tuition-based Montessori Program for 3- and 4-year-olds
Provides many Special Area opportunities to experience the arts, including band, physical education (PE), music, visual art, and Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STREAM)
Offers Intermediate students trips to local and regional destinations, such as Pine Mountain, Kentucky
Additional instructional assistants support Montessori co-teaching
Student activities: Science Club, Chess Club, basketball team, Step/Dance, soccer, Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), Student Voice Team, Student Ambassadors, Academic Team, robotics, Student Garden, Clucker’s Club (student-raised chicken husbandry), and Writing Club
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Foster Traditional Academy
We are Foster! Our mission is “Touch the Heart, Teach the Mind.”Foster strives to ensure that all students succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Together, we will equip students with the skills necessary to lead successful and productive lives, ensuring that they are prepared for college and/or the career of their choice.
School Highlights
Traditional Magnet Program that puts students on track to attend a Traditional Magnet middle school
Uses a uniform policy
Student activities: Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), drama, basketball, cheerleading, dance, orchestra, choir, and Extended School Services (ESS)
Special area classes, including: Physical education (PE), art, music, and library as well as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Lab (five different special area classes each week for students)
Beautiful facilities on 40-acre campus
Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary
At Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary, the teachers and staff will provide a student-centered and rigorous academic curriculum in a highly structured learning environment that is essential for developing college and career readiness. The staff will contribute to a student’s growth by emphasizing high academic standards and responsible conduct. The focus is placed on the core subjects with an emphasis on developing complex thinkers who are self-directed learners and problem solvers striving for individual excellence and reaching their fullest potential in academics, character, citizenship, and leadership.
School Highlights
Districtwide Traditional Magnet Program with a long history of academic excellence
Highly structured, orderly environment emphasizing high academic standards and responsible conduct
Extracurricular activities: Academic Team, basketball, chess club, Chinese club, cross-country, Gifted Girls, LEGO club, musical theatre, NASA club, Problem Solving Team, Quick Recall, video club, soccer, Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP), and WAGS
Strong partnership agreement between student, parent, and school
Part-time Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinator to help students and families with nonacademic learning barriers
Full-time mental health practitioner
Active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) with many volunteer opportunities
Special areas: Art, band, library, music, orchestra, and physical education (PE)/health
Hawthorne Elementary
We do it in Spanish too! At Hawthorne Elementary, it is our vision that every student will develop into a globally and culturally competent learner. Our mission is that we will cultivate learning experiences in a Spanish Immersion environment that will prepare our students to be biliterate, bicultural, and bilingual. We ensure this success with high levels of learning, recognizing and valuing differences in our classrooms through a multicultural educational experience, and partnering with families and the community.
School Highlights
The only Spanish Immersion Magnet in JCPS where students develop language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both English and Spanish
Pathway to Seal of Biliteracy offered
Family Resource Center (FRC) coordinator and mental health practitioner
A variety of extracurricular activities engaging kindergarten through grade-five students in cross-curricular topics
Strong focus on family and community engagement
Adopted Compassionate Schools Project (CSP) and recognized as 2019 Most Welcoming School by Louisville Metro Government
Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School
As Kentucky’s first public elementary performing arts school, Lincoln commits to educating the whole child through a rigorous, arts-infused curriculum to best prepare students for future success. In addition to quality instruction in math, reading, social studies, writing, and science, students engage in a variety of arts instruction, including vocal, instrumental music, dance, drama, band, orchestra, piano, and visual arts. The arts are also integrated into lessons across various content areas, and students, families, and the school commit to students’ being active participants in the arts!
School Highlights
Districtwide magnet school
A 40,000-square-foot performing arts wing that includes a 200-seat black box theater, two dance studios, a drama room, a piano lab, vocal and instrumental rooms, and a visual arts room
Community partnerships with leading arts groups that allow students to experience professional performances in school and at outside venues, such as the Kentucky Center for the Arts
After-school instruction provided by professional instructors from several organizations, including the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, and StageOne Family Theatre
Clubs and sports activities in addition to the arts programming
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
We will provide a comprehensive approach to teaching the whole child through physical, social, emotional, and intellectual work. This will be achieved within a highly structured school environment where high expectations are a daily requirement. To be consistent with the JCPS core values of instruction, we will use manipulatives and engage students in hands-on activities through small-group instruction while facilitating many student-directed structured learning activities. We also concentrate on many foundational pillars of fundamental concepts and standards in rich and rigorous methods of teaching and learning.
School Highlights
Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Rigorous intervention and enrichment opportunities
Offering many after-school club and team opportunities
Highly structured learning environments
Self-discipline expected
Expectation of strong parental involvement
Three intervention teachers
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Whitney Young Elementary
Whitney Young Elementary is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. The IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children ages 3 through 12 nurtures and develops young students as caring, active participants in a lifelong learning journey. Our PYP empowers school-aged students to take ownership of their learning and helps them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast. For more information, visit www.ibo.org. Whitney Young Elementary is a full magnet school that provides transportation from anywhere in Jefferson County. Students have the opportunity to continue their IB education at the district’s other IB magnet schools, Highland Middle School and Atherton High School.
School Highlights
First primary IB World School in Kentucky established in 2010
Kentucky's only public IB World elementary school
Offers all students the opportunity to study French, participate in Global Game Changers, and have a specialized IB curriculum
Established English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Full-time Family Resource Center (FRC) and mental health consultant
Offers students the opportunity to participate in the Global Game Changers (GGC) after-school and summer programs with no cost to families