Average
#891 of 1,284 schools in KY
Southern High
High School · Jefferson County
8620 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40219
Enrollment
1,540
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,540
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Louisville
#85 of 147
public schools
Kentucky high schools
#212 of 279
In district
#85 of 149
Jefferson County
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern High
Southern High serves 1,540 students in grades 9-12 along Preston Highway in Louisville's southside community. With 90 full-time teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.1:1, providing reasonable class sizes for this large high school. The school is focusing on student development, with current academic performance showing room for growth.
In reading and language arts, 31% of students score proficient or above, while 21% achieve proficiency in mathematics. Southern High ranks in the 6th percentile among Kentucky's high schools, indicating significant opportunities for academic improvement and student support. The school draws from a diverse working-class neighborhood where the median household income is $53,059 and median home values reach $167,700.
About 19% of residents hold bachelor's degrees, and the poverty rate stands at 14.7%, reflecting a community where many families are working to build economic stability. As a regular public school in Jefferson County, Southern High serves an important role in providing educational opportunities for students in this area of Louisville. The school operates within a large urban setting, giving students access to the resources and experiences that come with city life while serving families deeply rooted in this established southside community.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Southern High are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southern High — Students at Southern High score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How Southern High Compares
See how Southern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 12% (2019) to 21% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 19% (2019) to 31% (2022).
Location
8620 Preston Highway, Louisville, KY 40219
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ST RITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 0.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Minors Lane Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, W.E.B. DuBois Academy (rated 7.3/10, 3.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Louisville, see our Louisville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST RITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Louisville | 0.1 mi | 7.6 |
| Blake Elementary Louisville | 0.7 mi | 3.7 |
| Okolona Elementary Louisville | 1.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Hartstern Elementary Louisville | 1.3 mi | 4.1 |
| Blue Lick Elementary Louisville | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| Knight Middle Louisville | 1.6 mi | 5.4 |
| Laukhuf Elementary Louisville | 2.0 mi | 3.5 |
| ST ATHANASIUS Louisville | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Minors Lane Elementary Louisville | 1.8 mi | 7.6 |
| Slaughter Elementary Louisville | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Rangeland Elementary Louisville | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| Smyrna Elementary School Louisville | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Louisville | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| Marion C. Moore School Louisville | 2.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Indian Trail Elementary Louisville | 3.1 mi | 3.1 |
| George Unseld Early Childhood Center Louisville | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Overdale Elementary School Louisville | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| MICAH CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Louisville | 3.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Mary Ryan Academy Louisville | 3.3 mi | — |
| W.E.B. DuBois Academy Louisville | 3.3 mi | 7.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40219 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,271
Median Home Value
$186,000
Median Rent
$967/mo
Population
39,107
College Educated
19.6%
Homeownership
51%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
17.4%
Median Age
35
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern High has a median household income of $52,271. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $186,000, with a median rent of $967/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.4%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| Dixie Heights High School Fort Mitchell, KY | 5.5 |
| Montgomery County High School Mt. Sterling, KY | 5.5 |
| North Bullitt High School Shepherdsville, KY | 5.5 |
| Scott County High School Georgetown, KY | 5.5 |
| Scott High School Taylor Mill, KY | 5.6 |
| Spencer County High School Taylorsville, KY | 5.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern High
What grades does Southern High serve?
Southern High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Southern High?
Southern High has an enrollment of approximately 1,540 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern High?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern High is 17.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern High rank in KY?
Southern High is ranked #891 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern High has a composite rating of 5.5 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 High?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern High has 15.0% math proficiency and 24.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern High a charter school?
No, Southern High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern High a Title I school?
No, Southern High is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern High?
65.6% of students at Southern High 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
- Walk Score
- 59 Somewhat Walkable
- Transit Score
- 32 Some Transit
- Bike Score
- 47 Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety
- Low (0/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,540
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 90
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Jefferson County
- Phone
- (502) 485-8330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson County- District Enrollment
- 94,793
- Schools in District
- 171
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,200
- District Rank
- #85 of 149
Other Schools in This District
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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