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Excellent

#1 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 1% in state

Brenda Cowan Elementary

Elementary School · Fayette County

4801 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509

Enrollment

570

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

9.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lexington

#1 of 67

public schools

Kentucky elementary schools

#1 of 708

In district

#1 of 66

Fayette County

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Brenda Cowan Elementary

Brenda Cowan Elementary is a public school in Lexington, Kentucky, serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 570. The school runs a 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio, keeping classes small and instruction focused. The numbers here are exceptional by any measure.

Brenda Cowan ranks first among all 1,284 public schools in Kentucky, outperforming 100% of schools statewide. That top position holds across every comparison — first out of 67 schools in Lexington and first out of 708 Kentucky elementary schools. MySchoolScout's composite score of 9.6 out of 10 reflects strong academic performance paired with a perfect 10.0 growth score, meaning students are not just achieving at high levels but actively accelerating their learning over time.

The academic score of 8.9 and the standout growth rating together signal that Brenda Cowan is producing real, measurable gains for its students year over year. For families in Lexington evaluating elementary options, the data consistently points in one direction. Few schools anywhere in the state match this combination of achievement and student progress, making Brenda Cowan a clear benchmark for elementary education in Kentucky.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Brenda Cowan Elementary may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change+9 pts/yr
Data Period2021–2022
TrendImproving
Academics8.9Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency56%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency57%
Expected (poverty-adj.)48%
vs. Expected+8.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile83th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.4Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,849

Brenda Cowan Elementary — Students at Brenda Cowan Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2021*
Math
45%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
56%
ELA
57%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 10.0/10.

How Brenda Cowan Elementary Compares

See how Brenda Cowan Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
9.6/10
100th percentile in KY
Academic
8.9/10
8.9/10
Growth
10.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
44%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
44 teachers

Location

4801 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Brenda Cowan Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Squires Elementary School (rated 8.9/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is Athens-Chilesburg Elementary (rated 8.8/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Garrett Morgan Elementary (rated 8.5/10, 2.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School Lexington 0.5 mi 7.9
Athens-Chilesburg Elementary Lexington 1.3 mi 8.8
WALNUT HILL DAY SCHOOL Lexington 1.1 mi
Garrett Morgan Elementary Lexington 2.1 mi 8.5
Ridge Hospital Alt. Elementary Lexington 2.9 mi
Ridge Hospital Alt. High School Lexington 2.9 mi
Liberty Elementary Lexington 3.5 mi 5.0
Squires Elementary School Lexington 3.0 mi 8.9
Martin L King Acad for Excellence Alt Lexington 4.3 mi 6.4
Carter G. Woodson Academy Lexington 4.8 mi 5.8
Frederick Douglass High School Lexington 4.8 mi 7.9
Tates Creek High School Lexington 4.1 mi 8.1
Madeline M Breckinridge Elem School Lexington 4.6 mi 8.3
Henry Clay High School Lexington 4.5 mi 7.7
Tates Creek Middle School Lexington 4.3 mi 6.7
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington 4.3 mi 6.9
Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington 4.3 mi 7.8
Crawford Middle School Lexington 5.5 mi 5.9
SPHINX ACADEMY Lexington 5.3 mi
Millcreek Elementary School Lexington 4.5 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40509 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$89,429

Median Home Value

$338,200

Median Rent

$1,317/mo

Population

45,135

College Educated

57%

Homeownership

61.9%

Avg Commute

22.6 min

Poverty Rate

7.7%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Brenda Cowan Elementary has a median household income of $89,429. It is a well-educated community where 57% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $338,200, with a median rent of $1,317/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LaGrange Elementary School Lagrange, KY 9.1
Meadowthorpe Elementary School Lexington, KY 9.1
Murray Elementary School Murray, KY 9.1
Ft Wright Elementary School Covington, KY 9.0
Burlington Elementary School Burlington, KY 8.9
CORBIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Corbin, KY 8.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Brenda Cowan Elementary

What grades does Brenda Cowan Elementary serve?

Brenda Cowan Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Brenda Cowan Elementary?

Brenda Cowan Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 570 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Brenda Cowan Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Brenda Cowan Elementary is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Brenda Cowan Elementary rank in KY?

Brenda Cowan Elementary is ranked #1 out of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Brenda Cowan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Brenda Cowan Elementary has a composite rating of 9.6 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Brenda Cowan Elementary?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Brenda Cowan Elementary has 50.5% math proficiency and 53.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Brenda Cowan Elementary a charter school?

No, Brenda Cowan Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Brenda Cowan Elementary a Title I school?

No, Brenda Cowan Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Brenda Cowan Elementary?

43.9% of students at Brenda Cowan Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
5 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
0 Minimal Transit
Bike Score
18 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,541/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.

Compare This School

How does Brenda Cowan Elementary stack up?

Ashland Elementary School
9.5
Meadowthorpe Elementary School
9.1
Squires Elementary School
8.9
Compare Selected →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
44
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Fayette County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Fayette County
District Enrollment
41,697
Schools in District
79
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,318
District Rank
#1 of 66

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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