Excellent

#36 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 3% in state

Brenda Cowan Elementary

Elementary School · Fayette County

4801 Athens-Boonesboro Road, Lexington, KY 40509

Last updated: July 2026

Enrollment

570

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Enrollment

570

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

9.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage
2022-23

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#36 of 1,284

In Lexington

#7 of 67

public schools

In district

#7 of 66

Fayette County

School environment

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Elementary School in Lexington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lexington, KY. Compare side by side with Brenda Cowan Elementary before ruling this option in or out.

About Brenda Cowan Elementary

Brenda Cowan Elementary is a public elementary school in Lexington, KY, part of Fayette County. Brenda Cowan Elementary serves approximately 570 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Brenda Cowan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10 and ranks #36 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Brenda Cowan Elementary show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts above district

9.0

This school 9.0 · Excellent
District avg 6.5
KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Brenda Cowan Elementary sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress9.7Excellent50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data4

Annual Change+0.36 pts/yr

Data Period2020–2025

TrendStable

Academics7.2Very Good30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency43.7% (2025 KSA)

Reading/ELA Proficiency58% (2025 KSA)

Overall Proficiency51% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)

Expected (poverty-adj.)51% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)

vs. Expected+0.3 pts

Adjusted Percentile59th

Resources & Environment9.9Excellent20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio13:1

Per-Pupil Spending$18,318

Chronic Absenteeism14.2%

Brenda Cowan Elementary — Students at Brenda Cowan Elementary score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

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 KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 46.2% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 55.2% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)

School

State

N/A

Based on 14 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2020*

Math

45%

ELA

50%

2021*

Math

45%

ELA

50%

2022

Math

56%

ELA

57%

2025

Math

43.7%

ELA

58%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Brenda Cowan Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score

9.0/10

97th percentile in KY

Academic

7.2/10

Very Good

Growth

9.7/10

Excellent

Environment

9.9/10

Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

44%

Teaching Staff

13:1 student-teacher ratio

44 teachers

Chronic Absenteeism

Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)

14.2%

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. Athens-Chilesburg Elementary (rated 9.4/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Garrett Morgan Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, Squires Elementary School (rated 8.3/10, 3.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School Lexington	0.5 mi	1,070	9.4
Athens-Chilesburg Elementary Lexington	1.3 mi	570	9.4
WALNUT HILL DAY SCHOOL Lexington	1.1 mi	12	—
Garrett Morgan Elementary Lexington	2.1 mi	780	8.7
Ridge Hospital Alt. Elementary Lexington	2.9 mi	2	—
Ridge Hospital Alt. High School Lexington	2.9 mi	5	—
Liberty Elementary Lexington	3.5 mi	726	7.6
Squires Elementary School Lexington	3.0 mi	419	8.3
Martin L King Acad for Excellence Alt Lexington	4.3 mi	208	3.9
Carter G. Woodson Academy Lexington	4.8 mi	305	5.9
Frederick Douglass High School Lexington	4.8 mi	1,719	7.0
Tates Creek High School Lexington	4.1 mi	1,733	5.7
Madeline M Breckinridge Elem School Lexington	4.6 mi	557	7.7
Henry Clay High School Lexington	4.5 mi	1,990	7.4
Tates Creek Middle School Lexington	4.3 mi	737	5.8
TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington	4.3 mi	438	6.9
Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington	4.3 mi	661	5.0
Crawford Middle School Lexington	5.5 mi	720	7.4
SPHINX ACADEMY Lexington	5.3 mi	29	—
Millcreek Elementary School Lexington	4.5 mi	531	4.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
Boonesborough Elementary Richmond, KY	420	9.0
Erpenbeck Elementary School Florence, KY	764	9.0
Pikeville Elementary School Pikeville, KY	641	9.0
Russell Springs Elementary School Russell Springs, KY	632	9.0
Thornwilde Elementary School Hebron, KY	669	9.0
Tompkinsville Elem Tompkinsville, KY	407	9.0

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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 ranks #36 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Brenda Cowan Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Brenda Cowan Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 9.0 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Brenda Cowan Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Brenda Cowan Elementary has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

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.