Below Average
#1140 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
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,540
Student-Teacher
17.1:1
Score
4.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#1,140 of 1,284
In Louisville
#104 of 147
public schools
In district
#107 of 149
Jefferson County
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Southern High
High School in Louisville · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
St Rita Elementary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Blake Elementary
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern High
Southern High is a public high school in Louisville, KY, part of Jefferson County. Southern High serves approximately 1,540 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,140 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Southern High show 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 4.1 · Below Average
- District avg 5.3
- KY avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
50% of students at Southern High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Southern High — Students at Southern High score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores KY KSA (2024-25)
Based on 32 test records from KY state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 5.4/10.
How Southern High Compares
See how Southern High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 Blue Lick Elementary (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ST ATHANASIUS (rated 6.6/10, 1.9 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 | 2.2 |
| Okolona Elementary Louisville | 1.1 mi | 5.1 |
| Hartstern Elementary Louisville | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| Blue Lick Elementary Louisville | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| Knight Middle Louisville | 1.6 mi | 5.8 |
| Laukhuf Elementary Louisville | 2.0 mi | 5.0 |
| ST ATHANASIUS Louisville | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| Minors Lane Elementary Louisville | 1.8 mi | 3.8 |
| Slaughter Elementary Louisville | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| Rangeland Elementary Louisville | 2.8 mi | 3.3 |
| Smyrna Elementary School Louisville | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
| Thomas Jefferson Middle Louisville | 2.9 mi | 4.6 |
| Marion C. Moore School Louisville | 2.5 mi | 4.2 |
| Indian Trail Elementary Louisville | 3.1 mi | 3.0 |
| George Unseld Early Childhood Center Louisville | 3.2 mi | 5.3 |
| Overdale Elementary School Louisville | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| 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 | 6.2 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Doss High Louisville, KY | 4.0 |
| Marion C. Moore School Louisville, KY | 4.2 |
| Seneca High Louisville, KY | 3.9 |
| Butler Traditional High Louisville, KY | 4.3 |
| Pleasure Ridge Park High Louisville, KY | 3.8 |
| Bullitt Central High School Shepherdsville, KY | 4.5 |
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 ranks #1,140 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern High's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern High has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 High?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern High has 20% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 49.9%
- Phone
- (502) 485-8330
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.0%
Resources & Links
District
Jefferson County- District Enrollment
- 94,793
- Schools in District
- 171
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,200
- District Rank
- #107 of 149
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