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Below Average

#1159 of 1,284 schools in KY

Semple Elementary

Elementary School · Jefferson County

724 Denmark Street, Louisville, KY 40215

Enrollment

562

Student-Teacher

14.4:1

Score

4.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Kentucky schools

#1,159 of 1,284

In Louisville

#109 of 147

public schools

In district

#112 of 149

Jefferson County

School environment

7.5 / 10

Very Good

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Semple Elementary

4.0/10

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

Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North

6.0/10

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

Frayser Elementary

3.9/10

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

About Semple Elementary

Semple Elementary is a public elementary school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Semple Elementary serves approximately 562 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 14.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Semple Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #1,159 of 1,284 schools in KY.

Structured state assessment records for Semple Elementary show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.0 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • KY avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

40% of students at Semple Elementary 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 Progress3.6Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.9 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics2.4Needs Improvement30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency16% (2025 KSA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency20.7% (2025 KSA)
Overall Proficiency18% (2025 KSA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)36% (model expectation from 2025 KSA)
vs. Expected-18.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile7th
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$18,200
Chronic Absenteeism39.5%

Semple Elementary — Students at Semple Elementary score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 22.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
N/A

Based on 33 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
53%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
55%
ELA
49%
2011
Math
20%
ELA
21%
2012
Math
27%
ELA
23%
2013
Math
21%
ELA
26%
2014
Math
26%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
29%
2016
Math
24%
ELA
28%
2017
Math
24%
ELA
23%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
26%
2020*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
9%
ELA
20%
2025
Math
16%
ELA
20.7%

* 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: 3.6/10.

How Semple Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
4.0/10
10th percentile in KY
Academic
2.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.6/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
7.5/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
39 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

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

724 Denmark Street, Louisville, KY 40215

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Semple Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Cochran Elementary (rated 6.6/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Gutermuth Elementary (rated 6.2/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Audubon Traditional Elementary (rated 6.1/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy North Louisville 0.6 mi 6.0
Frayser Elementary Louisville 1.0 mi 3.9
Hazelwood Elementary Louisville 1.3 mi 4.5
Churchill Park School Louisville 1.3 mi 5.0
Rutherford Elementary Louisville 1.6 mi 2.4
Jacob Elementary Louisville 1.3 mi 4.2
Iroquois High Louisville 1.6 mi 3.5
Frederick Law Olmsted Academy South Louisville 1.6 mi 5.4
U of L PACT Program Louisville 1.7 mi
Mcferran Preparatory Academy Louisville 1.8 mi 2.9
Western Day Treatment Louisville 1.8 mi
duPont Manual High Louisville 2.0 mi 9.3
Cochran Elementary Louisville 2.1 mi 6.6
CITY SCHOOLHOUSE Louisville 1.8 mi
Noe Middle Louisville 2.1 mi 7.9
DE SALES HIGH SCHOOL Louisville 2.3 mi 7.2
Mill Creek Elementary Louisville 2.1 mi 3.6
Shelby Academy Louisville 2.4 mi 4.8
Gutermuth Elementary Louisville 2.3 mi 6.2
Audubon Traditional Elementary Louisville 2.4 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 40215 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,762

Median Home Value

$106,500

Median Rent

$976/mo

Population

19,444

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

42.2%

Avg Commute

21 min

Poverty Rate

27.7%

Median Age

37.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Cardinal Valley Elementary School Lexington, KY 4.0
Eastside Elementary School Cynthiana, KY 4.0
Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington, KY 4.0
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Bardstown, KY 4.0
Woodland Elementary School Radcliff, KY 4.0
Foster Heights Elementary School Bardstown, KY 4.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Semple Elementary

What grades does Semple Elementary serve?

Semple Elementary serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Semple Elementary?

Semple Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 562 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Semple Elementary?

The student-teacher ratio at Semple Elementary is 14.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Semple Elementary rank in KY?

Semple Elementary ranks #1,159 of 1,284 schools in KY.

What is Semple Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Semple Elementary 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 Semple Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Semple Elementary has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Semple Elementary a charter school?

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

Is Semple Elementary a Title I school?

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

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

77.6% of students at Semple 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
56 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
69 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
562
Student-Teacher Ratio
14.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
39
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Jefferson County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
39.5%

District

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

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