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
Enrollment
570
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
9.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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
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Brenda Cowan Elementary — Students at Brenda Cowan Elementary score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
43.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 4 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 45% (2021) to 56% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 50% (2021) to 57% (2022).
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 |
Compare Brenda Cowan Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
- CompareBrenda Cowan Elementary vs Ashland Elementary SchoolLexington, KY Peer score 9.5/10 -0.1 vs Brenda Cowan Elementary
- CompareBrenda Cowan Elementary vs Meadowthorpe Elementary SchoolLexington, KY Peer score 9.1/10 -0.5 vs Brenda Cowan Elementary
- CompareBrenda Cowan Elementary vs Squires Elementary SchoolLexington, KY Peer score 8.9/10 -0.7 vs Brenda Cowan Elementary
- CompareBrenda Cowan Elementary vs Athens-Chilesburg ElementaryLexington, KY Peer score 8.8/10 -0.8 vs Brenda Cowan Elementary
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (859) 381-4000
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #1 of 66
Compare This School
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.
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