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Needs Improvement

#1266 of 1,284 schools in KY

Mcferran Preparatory Academy

Elementary School · Jefferson County

1900 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY 40208

Enrollment

664

Student-Teacher

13.3:1

Score

2.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,266 of 1,284

In Louisville

#140 of 147

public schools

In district

#142 of 149

Jefferson County

School environment

8.1 / 10

Excellent

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Mcferran Preparatory Academy

2.9/10

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

Western Day Treatment

Nearby

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

Cochran Elementary

6.6/10

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

About Mcferran Preparatory Academy

Mcferran Preparatory Academy is a public elementary school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Mcferran Preparatory Academy serves approximately 664 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Mcferran Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,266 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Mcferran Preparatory Academy show 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 2.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

42% of students at Mcferran Preparatory Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.09 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.5Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency6% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency10.5% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency8% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)33% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-25.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile2th
Resources & Environment8.1Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism41.6%

Mcferran Preparatory Academy — Students at Mcferran Preparatory Academy score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

84.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 24.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 27.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 32 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
50%
ELA
61%
2010
Math
51%
ELA
58%
2011
Math
32%
ELA
38%
2012
Math
37%
ELA
31%
2013
Math
37%
ELA
36%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
34%
ELA
30%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
25%
ELA
26%
2018
Math
14%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
14%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
7.5%
2022
Math
2%
ELA
12%
2025
Math
6%
ELA
10.5%

* 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: 1.6/10.

How Mcferran Preparatory Academy Compares

See how Mcferran Preparatory Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
2.9/10
2th percentile in KY
Academic
1.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
1.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.1/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
85%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
41.6%

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

1900 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY 40208

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mcferran Preparatory Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cochran Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 0.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is EMMA L. MINNIS JUNIOR ACADEMY (rated 5.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Semple Elementary (rated 4.0/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.1 mi
School Distance Rating
Western Day Treatment Louisville 0.0 mi
Cochran Elementary Louisville 0.7 mi 6.6
Frayser Elementary Louisville 0.9 mi 3.9
U of L PACT Program Louisville 1.0 mi
Noe Middle Louisville 1.0 mi 7.9
duPont Manual High Louisville 1.0 mi 9.3
CITY SCHOOLHOUSE Louisville 1.3 mi
Johnson Traditional Middle Louisville 1.4 mi 2.1
Dr. William H. Perry Elementary School Louisville 1.8 mi 2.8
Semple Elementary Louisville 1.8 mi 4.0
Engelhard Elementary Louisville 1.6 mi 3.4
PRESENTATION ACADEMY Louisville 1.7 mi 8.6
Grace M. James Academy of Excellence Louisville 1.9 mi 8.9
HEUSER HEARING & LANGUAGE ACADEMY Louisville 1.7 mi
Heuser Hearing & Language Academy Louisville 1.7 mi
Central High Magnet Career Academy Louisville 2.0 mi 6.5
Churchill Park School Louisville 1.7 mi 5.0
Maupin Elementary Louisville 1.7 mi 3.5
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary Louisville 2.0 mi 2.4
EMMA L. MINNIS JUNIOR ACADEMY Louisville 2.1 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40208 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,714

Median Home Value

$153,100

Median Rent

$914/mo

Population

15,287

College Educated

34.4%

Homeownership

27.6%

Avg Commute

19.2 min

Poverty Rate

38.1%

Median Age

22.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Clay City Elementary School Clay City, KY 2.9
Indian Trail Elementary Louisville, KY 3.0
Muhlenberg South Elementary Beechmont, KY 3.0
Roby Elementary School Shepherdsville, KY 3.0
Kennedy Elementary Louisville, KY 2.7
South Floyd Elementary School Hi Hat, KY 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mcferran Preparatory Academy

What grades does Mcferran Preparatory Academy serve?

Mcferran Preparatory Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Mcferran Preparatory Academy?

Mcferran Preparatory Academy has an enrollment of approximately 664 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mcferran Preparatory Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Mcferran Preparatory Academy is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mcferran Preparatory Academy rank in KY?

Mcferran Preparatory Academy ranks #1,266 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Mcferran Preparatory Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Mcferran Preparatory Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.9 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 Mcferran Preparatory Academy?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Mcferran Preparatory Academy has 25% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 28% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Mcferran Preparatory Academy a charter school?

No, Mcferran Preparatory Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mcferran Preparatory Academy a Title I school?

No, Mcferran Preparatory Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mcferran Preparatory Academy?

84.9% of students at Mcferran Preparatory Academy 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
664
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
84.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
41.6%

District

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

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