Skip to main content

Below Average

#1153 of 1,284 schools in KY

Cardinal Valley Elementary School

Elementary School · Fayette County

218 Mandalay Rd, Lexington, KY 40504

Enrollment

615

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,153 of 1,284

In Lexington

#59 of 67

public schools

In district

#59 of 66

Fayette County

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Cardinal Valley Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Cardinal Valley Elementary School

4.0/10

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

Audrey Grevious Center

Nearby

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

James Lane Allen Elementary School

4.8/10

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Cardinal Valley Elementary School

Cardinal Valley Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lexington, KY, part of Fayette County. Cardinal Valley Elementary School serves approximately 615 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Cardinal Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,153 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Cardinal Valley Elementary School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.5 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.5
  • KY avg 6.3

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.37 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.6Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21.7% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency21.3% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency22% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-18.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,318
Chronic Absenteeism21.1%

Cardinal Valley Elementary School — Students at Cardinal Valley Elementary School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 36 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
81%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
68%
ELA
69%
2011
Math
20%
ELA
23%
2012
Math
21%
ELA
20%
2013
Math
27%
ELA
27%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2015
Math
22%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
25%
ELA
27%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
25%
2018
Math
39%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
39%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
6%
ELA
14%
2021*
Math
6%
ELA
14%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
19%
2025
Math
21.7%
ELA
21.3%

* 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: 2.5/10.

How Cardinal Valley Elementary School Compares

See how Cardinal Valley Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.0/10
10th percentile in KY
Academic
2.6/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
51 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.1%

Location

218 Mandalay Rd, Lexington, KY 40504

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cardinal Valley Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Clays Mill Elementary School (rated 9.3/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Meadowthorpe Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MARY QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
Audrey Grevious Center Lexington 1.0 mi
James Lane Allen Elementary School Lexington 1.2 mi 4.8
Family Care Center Lexington 1.1 mi
Leestown Middle School Lexington 1.3 mi 8.5
LEXINGTON ADVENTIST ACADEMY Lexington 1.6 mi 6.9
THE LEXINGTON SCHOOL Lexington 1.6 mi 7.7
Meadowthorpe Elementary School Lexington 1.6 mi 8.1
Garden Springs Elementary School Lexington 1.9 mi 7.0
Picadome Elementary School Lexington 1.9 mi 4.7
Beaumont Middle School Lexington 1.9 mi 6.8
Fayette Pre-School Lexington 2.1 mi 3.5
Scapa At Bluegrass Lexington 2.1 mi 9.1
Lafayette High School Lexington 2.2 mi 7.8
Fayette County Preschool Center Lexington 2.2 mi 6.0
LEXINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington 2.0 mi 6.7
Clays Mill Elementary School Lexington 2.5 mi 9.3
Rosa Parks Elementary School Lexington 2.4 mi 7.7
LEXINGTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Lexington 2.6 mi 6.4
MARY QUEEN OF THE HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL Lexington 2.6 mi 7.9
Fayette County Learning Center Lexington 2.3 mi 4.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40504 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$43,015

Median Home Value

$209,400

Median Rent

$888/mo

Population

26,164

College Educated

32.3%

Homeownership

33.4%

Avg Commute

19 min

Poverty Rate

30%

Median Age

29.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Eastside Elementary School Cynthiana, KY 4.0
Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington, KY 4.0
Semple Elementary Louisville, KY 4.0
Woodland Elementary School Radcliff, KY 4.0
Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown, KY 4.1
Mason County Intermediate School Maysville, KY 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cardinal Valley Elementary School

What grades does Cardinal Valley Elementary School serve?

Cardinal Valley Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Cardinal Valley Elementary School?

Cardinal Valley Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 615 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Valley Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cardinal Valley Elementary School is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cardinal Valley Elementary School rank in KY?

Cardinal Valley Elementary School ranks #1,153 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Cardinal Valley Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cardinal Valley Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 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 Cardinal Valley Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cardinal Valley Elementary School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 29% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cardinal Valley Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cardinal Valley Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cardinal Valley Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cardinal Valley Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cardinal Valley Elementary School?

69.3% of students at Cardinal Valley Elementary School 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
32 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
615
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
51
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Fayette County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.1%

District

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

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.