Below Average
#1193 of 1,284 schools in KY
Southern Elementary School
Elementary School · Fayette County
340 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
4.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#67 of 67
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#644 of 708
In district
#66 of 66
Fayette County
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Elementary School
Southern Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky, is a regular public elementary school serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. With an enrollment of 490 students and a student-teacher ratio of 10.9:1, the school benefits from a strong teacher presence that allows for individualized attention. The school's location within Fayette County provides easy access to city resources while maintaining a community feel.
Southern Elementary School’s MySchoolScout rating is 4.4 out of 10 and it ranks 27th percentile in Kentucky among all schools, indicating room for academic growth. Academic performance scores are currently at 2.2 out of 10, with only 37% proficiency or above in ELA/Reading and 26% proficient or above in Math across all grades. Despite these challenges, Southern Elementary School remains committed to the development and well-being of its students.
Located in a large city setting within Lexington, it offers a diverse learning environment that reflects the broader community. The school’s neighborhood, while not detailed here, likely includes a mix of urban amenities and residential areas, providing students with a range of cultural and social experiences.
Score Breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 2.6/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 18% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 51% (2019) to 29% (2022).
Location
340 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Glendover Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Middle School Lexington | 0.1 mi | 6.0 |
| THE PROVISION SCHOOL Lexington | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| KORE ACADEMY Lexington | 1.0 mi | 8.4 |
| ST MICHAELS SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | — |
| Veterans Park Elementary School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.6 |
| LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Lexington | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Millcreek Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 7.3 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.8 mi | 7.3 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Julius Marks Elementary School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Lexington | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Glendover Elementary School Lexington | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| Tates Creek Middle School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 6.7 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| Wellington Elementary Lexington | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| THE CENTENARY SCHOOL Lexington | 2.2 mi | — |
| Tates Creek High School Lexington | 1.9 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40517 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,778
Median Home Value
$196,300
Median Rent
$1,092/mo
Population
36,396
College Educated
41.3%
Homeownership
36.8%
Avg Commute
22.8 min
Poverty Rate
23.4%
Median Age
31
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Elementary School has a median household income of $51,778. It is a well-educated community where 41% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,300, with a median rent of $1,092/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Clay City Elementary School Clay City, KY | 4.1 |
| Creekside Elementary School Sonora, KY | 4.1 |
| Hartstern Elementary Louisville, KY | 4.1 |
| Owen County Elementary/Primary School Owenton, KY | 4.1 |
| Stanton Elementary School Stanton, KY | 4.1 |
| Bell Elementary School Monticello, KY | 4.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Elementary School
What grades does Southern Elementary School serve?
Southern Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Southern Elementary School?
Southern Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Elementary School is 10.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Elementary School rank in KY?
Southern Elementary School is ranked #1193 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Southern Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Elementary School has 26.3% math proficiency and 37.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Elementary School a charter school?
No, Southern Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Southern Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Elementary School?
61.8% of students at Southern 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,541/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lexington). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 490
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 45
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Fayette County
- Phone
- (859) 381-3589
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #66 of 66
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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