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 English/Language Arts (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 with playground equipment
Offers related arts classes each week in art, music, library media, and technology and physical education (PE)
Offers every student an LTE-enabled Chromebook to use during their tenure at BFES
Student activities: Basketball, cheerleading, band, orchestra, Boys and Girls Club after-school program, and an afternoon Theatre Club
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) that includes monthly counseling core instruction, monthly schoolwide morning meetings, daily class meetings with focus on community, a 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) 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, Lunar New Year, Trunk-N-Eat, and an annual musical theatre performance
Extracurricular activities: 3D printing, Quick Recall, Problem Solving, STLP, Chinese Club, Kicks Soccer Academy, chess, Morning Magic Club, Drama Club, band, orchestra, robotics, and an annual musical
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 fosters positive self-esteem and supports learning to help our students become productive, responsible, and 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 inquirybased 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, crosscountry, 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
Satellite Option: The satellite option for the Waggener Zone is Dunn Elementary (page 21).
Magnet Schools
Fast Facts Application required
What magnet schools are in the district?
There are five 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 Project-Based Learning (PBL) opportunities.
J. Graham Brown School is a Self-Directed 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.
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 Magnet Program provides a student-centered and rigorous academic curriculum in a highly structured learning environment that is essential for developing College and Career Readiness. The Traditional Program contributes to a student’s growth by emphasizing high academic standards and responsible conduct. In addition, the traditional program develops character and leadership skills through community involvement and promotes student well-being.
Our focus as Traditional schools 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, and Citizenship.
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, research-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 nonacademic 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: American Sign Language (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
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-the-art 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: 300 (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 gradetwelve 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 ageappropriate social skills that are expected for success in this informal educational setting
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) After-School 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
Welcome to Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary School—Home of the Monarchs! We are the proud recipients of the Magnet Schools Assistance Project (MSAP) grant, which has allowed us the opportunity to rebrand, reimagine, and reshape Montessori education in JCPS. Montessori education is a child-centered, scientifically based approach to education that fosters the following:
Confidence-building
Hands-opportunities for learning
Independence and problem-solving
Student agency
Whole-child approach (psychological, physical, and social development)
School Highlights
Tuition-based Montessori Program for 3- and 4-year-olds
We create culturally responsive, global citizens who explore our world through social justice
Promotes leadership through collaboration, building empathy and independence, and self-development
Offers various projects that promote environmental sustainability
Field trips and experiences that foster students' curiosity for learning
Collaboration with various community partners providing students with access to experiences and resources
Additional learning support staff in classrooms offers students more opportunities for individualized instruction and learning using Montessori co-teaching
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. Our goal is to equip students with the skills necessary to lead successful and productive lives, ensuring that they are prepared for the college and/or 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, band, choir, and Extended School Services (ESS)
Special areas: Physical education (PE), art, music, library, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Lab (five different special area classes each week for students)
Beautiful facilities on a 40-acre campus
Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary
At Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary, the teachers and staff 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 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 Wonderful Animals Giving Service (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 prepares 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
A Certified National Magnet School from Magnet Schools of America
The only Spanish Immersion Magnet in JCPS where students develop language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in both English and Spanish
Offers a Pathway to Seal of Biliteracy
Delivers a variety of extracurricular activities engaging kindergarten through grade-five students in cross-curricular topics
Provides a strong focus on family and community engagement
Adopts Compassionate Schools Project (CSP) with an emphasis on social and emotional learning
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 and accountability 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
Student-driven, collaborative learning
Fast-paced learning opportunities
Strong emphasis on teaching leadership, self-direction, and self-discipline
Daily instruction on kindness, courtesy, emotional/physical health, and respect for our community
Frequent communication from both teachers and the school
Highly structured learning environment
Multiple family events offered each year
Many opportunities for students to participate in athletics, clubs, and activities outside of school
An expectation of strong parental involvement and support for our program