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Excellent

#55 of 1,284 schools in KY

Top 4% in state

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence

Middle School · Jefferson County

1615 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203

Enrollment

424

Student-Teacher

14.6:1

Score

8.9

Grades

6th – 9th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#55 of 1,284

In Louisville

#3 of 147

public schools

In district

#3 of 149

Jefferson County

Academic growth

10.0 / 10

Excellent

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Grace M. James Academy of Excellence

8.9/10

Middle School in Louisville · grades 6th – 9th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Dr. William H. Perry Elementary School

2.8/10

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

Emma L. Minnis Junior Academy

5.0/10

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

About Grace M. James Academy of Excellence

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence is a public middle school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Grace M.

James Academy of Excellence serves approximately 424 students, and covers grades 6th-9th, and has a 14.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Grace M. James Academy of Excellence has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #55 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Grace M. James Academy of Excellence show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

How it compares3.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 5.6
  • KY avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress10.0Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data4
Annual Change+4.23 pts/yr
Data Period2020–2025
TrendImproving
Academics7.3Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35.5% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency59.5% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency48% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected+4.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile60th
Resources & Environment9.4Excellent25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence — Students at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.9% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 53.7% (multi-year average, 2020-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 16 test records from KY state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

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

2020*
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
7.5%
ELA
47%
2022
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2025
Math
35.5%
ELA
59.5%

* 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 Grace M. James Academy of Excellence Compares

See how Grace M. James Academy of Excellence performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.9/10
96th percentile in KY
Academic
7.3/10
Very Good
Growth
10.0/10
Excellent
Environment
9.4/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1615 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Grace M. James Academy of Excellence may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Western Middle School for the Arts (rated 7.8/10, 0.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, Johnson Traditional Middle (rated 2.1/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Dr. William H. Perry Elementary School Louisville 0.2 mi 2.8
EMMA L. MINNIS JUNIOR ACADEMY Louisville 0.3 mi 5.0
Central High Magnet Career Academy Louisville 0.5 mi 6.5
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary Louisville 0.5 mi 2.4
Byck Elementary Louisville 0.8 mi 3.0
Western Middle School for the Arts Louisville 0.9 mi 7.8
Jefferson Regional Juvenile Detention Ce Louisville 0.9 mi
PRESENTATION ACADEMY Louisville 1.2 mi 8.6
Johnson Traditional Middle Louisville 1.3 mi 2.1
Brandeis Elementary Louisville 1.2 mi 4.8
ST FRANCIS SCHOOL Louisville 1.3 mi 8.2
Atkinson Academy Louisville 1.5 mi 3.6
Ahrens Educational Resource Center Louisville 1.4 mi 5.3
J. Graham Brown School Louisville 1.4 mi 8.7
Engelhard Elementary Louisville 1.5 mi 3.4
Heuser Hearing & Language Academy Louisville 1.5 mi
HEUSER HEARING & LANGUAGE ACADEMY Louisville 1.5 mi
Maupin Elementary Louisville 1.6 mi 3.5
Mcferran Preparatory Academy Louisville 1.9 mi 2.9
Western Day Treatment Louisville 1.9 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40203 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$31,430

Median Home Value

$179,300

Median Rent

$828/mo

Population

17,540

College Educated

22.3%

Homeownership

24.7%

Avg Commute

21.2 min

Poverty Rate

39.9%

Median Age

34.8

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Knox County Middle School Barbourville, KY 8.9
Scapa At Bluegrass Lexington, KY 9.1
Owensboro Innovation Middle School Owensboro, KY 8.7
Walton-Verona Middle School Walton, KY 8.7
Clay County Middle School Manchester, KY 8.3
Marion County Middle School Lebanon, KY 8.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Grace M. James Academy of Excellence

What grades does Grace M. James Academy of Excellence serve?

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence serves students in grades 6th through 9th.

How many students attend Grace M. James Academy of Excellence?

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence has an enrollment of approximately 424 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence?

The student-teacher ratio at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence is 14.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Grace M. James Academy of Excellence rank in KY?

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence ranks #55 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Grace M. James Academy of Excellence's MySchoolScout rating?

Grace M. James Academy of Excellence has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 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 Grace M. James Academy of Excellence?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2020-2025).

Is Grace M. James Academy of Excellence a charter school?

No, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Grace M. James Academy of Excellence a Title I school?

No, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Grace M. James Academy of Excellence?

61.3% of students at Grace M. James Academy of Excellence 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
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
49 Some Transit
Bike Score
90 Biker’s Paradise

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 9th
Enrollment
424
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Jefferson County

District

Jefferson County
District Enrollment
94,793
Schools in District
171
Per-Pupil Spending
$18,200
District Rank
#3 of 149

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