Average
#970 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
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
10.9:1
Score
5.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#970 of 1,284
In Lexington
#47 of 67
public schools
In district
#47 of 66
Fayette County
School environment
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Southern Elementary School
Elementary School in Lexington · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southern Middle School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Provision School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Elementary School
Southern Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lexington, KY, part of Fayette County. Southern Elementary School serves approximately 490 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10 and ranks #970 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Elementary School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 5.0 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- KY avg 6.3
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Elementary School — Students at Southern Elementary School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 36 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: 3.5/10.
How Southern Elementary School Compares
See how Southern Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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. Wellington Elementary (rated 9.6/10, 1.9 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 | 6.8 |
| THE PROVISION SCHOOL Lexington | 0.5 mi | 7.3 |
| Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| KORE ACADEMY Lexington | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| ST MICHAELS SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | — |
| Veterans Park Elementary School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 6.3 |
| LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Lexington | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| Millcreek Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 4.8 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.8 mi | 7.4 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| Julius Marks Elementary School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Lexington | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| Glendover Elementary School Lexington | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington | 1.7 mi | 5.0 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| Tates Creek Middle School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 5.8 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| Wellington Elementary Lexington | 1.9 mi | 9.6 |
| THE CENTENARY SCHOOL Lexington | 2.2 mi | — |
| Tates Creek High School Lexington | 1.9 mi | 5.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Beechgrove Elementary School Independence, KY | 5.0 |
| Campbellsville Elementary School Campbellsville, KY | 5.0 |
| Central Elementary School Paintsville, KY | 5.0 |
| Dixie Elementary Magnet School Lexington, KY | 5.0 |
| Duff-Allen Central Elementary Eastern, KY | 5.0 |
| H W Wilkey Elementary School Leitchfield, KY | 5.0 |
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 ranks #970 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 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 Southern Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Elementary School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.4%
- Phone
- (859) 381-3589
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #47 of 66
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