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Needs Improvement

#1276 of 1,284 schools in KY

Rutherford Elementary

Elementary School · Jefferson County

301 Southland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40214

Enrollment

484

Student-Teacher

24.2:1

Score

2.4

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,276 of 1,284

In Louisville

#143 of 147

public schools

In district

#145 of 149

Jefferson County

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Rutherford Elementary

2.4/10

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

Frederick Law Olmsted Academy South

5.4/10

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

De Sales High School

7.2/10

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

About Rutherford Elementary

Rutherford Elementary is a public elementary school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Rutherford Elementary serves approximately 484 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 24.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Rutherford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,276 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Rutherford Elementary 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 2.4 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 4.9
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Rutherford Elementary runs 24.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress2.9Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics1.8Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12.5% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency14.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency14% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)39% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-25.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile3th
Resources & Environment2.2Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio24.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism27.9%

Rutherford Elementary — Students at Rutherford Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

71.5%

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

Based on 35 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
47%
ELA
55%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
48%
2011
Math
25%
ELA
34%
2012
Math
35%
ELA
30%
2013
Math
42%
ELA
43%
2014
Math
41%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
33%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
38%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
35%
ELA
30%
2018
Math
35%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
35%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
17%
2022
Math
14%
ELA
19%
2025
Math
12.5%
ELA
14.7%

* 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: 2.9/10.

How Rutherford Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
2.4/10
1th percentile in KY
Academic
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
2.9/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.2/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
72%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
20 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

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

301 Southland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40214

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rutherford Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Kenwood Elementary (rated 6.3/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gutermuth Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Auburndale Elementary (rated 4.6/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy South Louisville 0.5 mi 5.4
DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL Louisville 0.8 mi 7.2
Iroquois High Louisville 0.7 mi 3.5
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North Louisville 1.1 mi 6.0
Hazelwood Elementary Louisville 1.1 mi 4.5
Semple Elementary Louisville 1.6 mi 4.0
VALIANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Louisville 2.2 mi 7.2
Kenwood Elementary Louisville 2.1 mi 6.3
Jacob Elementary Louisville 2.0 mi 4.2
Auburndale Elementary Louisville 2.6 mi 4.6
Churchill Park School Louisville 2.5 mi 5.0
Frayser Elementary Louisville 2.6 mi 3.9
Gutermuth Elementary Louisville 2.1 mi 6.2
Lassiter Middle Louisville 3.0 mi 5.7
U of L PACT Program Louisville 3.2 mi
Doss High Louisville 2.8 mi 4.0
Mill Creek Elementary Louisville 2.9 mi 3.6
Louisville Male High Louisville 2.7 mi 5.5
CITY SCHOOLHOUSE Louisville 3.2 mi
Trunnell Elementary Louisville 2.8 mi 3.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40214 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,563

Median Home Value

$176,700

Median Rent

$950/mo

Population

45,986

College Educated

22.6%

Homeownership

54.5%

Avg Commute

23.2 min

Poverty Rate

18.6%

Median Age

35.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Carter Traditional Elementary Louisville, KY 2.4
Coleridge-Taylor Montessori Elementary Louisville, KY 2.4
Blake Elementary Louisville, KY 2.2
Bedford Elementary School Bedford, KY 2.1
Kennedy Elementary Louisville, KY 2.7
South Floyd Elementary School Hi Hat, KY 2.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rutherford Elementary

What grades does Rutherford Elementary serve?

Rutherford Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Rutherford Elementary?

Rutherford Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 484 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Rutherford Elementary is 24.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rutherford Elementary rank in KY?

Rutherford Elementary ranks #1,276 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Rutherford Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Rutherford Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 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 Rutherford Elementary?

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

Is Rutherford Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Rutherford Elementary a Title I school?

No, Rutherford Elementary is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rutherford Elementary?

71.5% of students at Rutherford 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
70 Very Walkable
Transit Score
32 Some Transit
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
484
Student-Teacher Ratio
24.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
20
Free/Reduced Lunch
71.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
27.9%

District

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

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