Best Elementary Schools
in Louisville, Kentucky
We ranked the 121 elementary schools in Louisville with real test data. The top 25 scored between 7.0 and 9.2 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Kentucky education data
The short answer
The top-rated elementary schools in Louisville for 2026 are Norton Elementary (9.2/10), Nur Islamic School of Louisville (8.9/10), and Greathouse/shryock Traditional (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 121 rated elementary schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing an elementary school in Louisville?
Every elementary school in Louisville is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Norton Elementary
Louisville, KY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Nur Islamic School of Louisville
Louisville, KY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Greathouse/shryock Traditional
Louisville, KY. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Louisville's elementary landscape spans 87 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. Hawthorne Elementary leads the field with an 8.3 out of 10, followed closely by Maryville Elementary and Field Elementary, both at 8.1. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 5.6 out of 10, which means meaningful separation exists between the top tier and the middle of the pack — worth keeping in mind as you sort through the data. Only 16 schools, about 18% of the total, score 7 or higher, so competition for seats at the strongest performers can be real. The table below lets you sort by overall score, test performance, and other key metrics to find schools that fit your priorities. Whether you're focused on academics, proximity, or specific program offerings, the data here gives you a direct way to compare your options side by side.
Norton Elementary
Nur Islamic School of Louisville
Greathouse/shryock Traditional
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Louisville's Elementary Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Kentucky so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 121 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norton Elementary Jefferson County | 9.2 |
| 2 | Nur Islamic School of Louisville | 8.9 |
| 3 | Greathouse/shryock Traditional Jefferson County | 8.6 |
| 4 | Hawthorne Elementary Jefferson County | 8.4 |
| 5 | Bates Elementary Jefferson County | 8.4 |
| 6 | Tully Elementary Jefferson County | 8.3 |
| 7 | Islamic School of Louisville | 8.2 |
| 8 | John Paul II Academy | 8.2 |
| 9 | Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts Jefferson County | 7.9 |
| 10 | Farmer Elementary Jefferson County | 7.9 |
| 11 | Wheeler Elementary Jefferson County | 7.8 |
| 12 | Bloom Elementary Jefferson County | 7.7 |
| 13 | The De Paul School | 7.7 |
| 14 | Friends School | 7.7 |
| 15 | Blue Lick Elementary Jefferson County | 7.6 |
| 16 | St Edward School | 7.6 |
| 17 | St Rita Elementary School | 7.6 |
| 18 | Meredith-dunn School | 7.5 |
| 19 | Holy Spirit School | 7.3 |
| 20 | Lowe Elementary Jefferson County | 7.2 |
| 21 | St James Catholic School | 7.2 |
| 22 | Waldorf School of Louisville | 7.2 |
| 23 | Bowen Elementary Jefferson County | 7.1 |
| 24 | The Montessori School of Louisville | 7.1 |
| 25 | Sacred Heart Model School | 7.0 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Kentucky education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Kentucky. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 Elementary Schools in Louisville
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Louisville's Top 10 Elementary Schools
Choosing the Right Elementary School in Louisville
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Louisville's elementary school landscape is one of the most diverse in Kentucky, with 136 schools spanning 3 school districts.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best elementary school in Louisville, Kentucky?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Norton Elementary is the top-rated elementary school in Louisville with a composite score of 9.2/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many elementary schools are in Louisville, Kentucky?
Louisville has 136 elementary schools. Of these, 121 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average elementary school rating in Louisville?
The average composite score for Louisville elementary schools is 5.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Kentucky).
How does MySchoolScout rate elementary schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Kentucky, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Kentucky, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.