Average
#716 of 1,284 schools in KY
Southern Middle School
Middle School · Fayette County
400 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#48 of 67
public schools
Kentucky middle schools
#99 of 216
In district
#48 of 66
Fayette County
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Southern Middle School
Southern Middle School serves grades 6–8 in Lexington, Kentucky, with an enrollment of 764 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1, supported by 56 full-time equivalent teachers who work to meet the diverse needs of the student body. Academically, Southern Middle School is working to strengthen student achievement.
In English Language Arts, about 49% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics shows an area with room for growth, with 34% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.9/10 and ranks 478th among Kentucky's 1,288 schools, placing it in the 63rd percentile statewide. With an academic score of 5.1/10, the school is focused on supporting student development and learning growth.
Located at 400 Wilson Downing Road in the heart of Kentucky's capital city, Southern Middle School serves families in a large urban community. The school provides middle-grades education within Fayette County's public school system, offering students a foundation for their academic journey during these important developmental years.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Southern Middle School — Students at Southern Middle School score 38% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
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: 4.3/10.
How Southern Middle School Compares
See how Southern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 34% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 63% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
400 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. KORE ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Glendover Elementary School (rated 8.1/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Tates Creek High School (rated 8.1/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Elementary School Lexington | 0.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington | 0.7 mi | 7.5 |
| THE PROVISION SCHOOL Lexington | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| KORE ACADEMY Lexington | 1.1 mi | 8.4 |
| Veterans Park Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 7.6 |
| ST MICHAELS SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | — |
| Millcreek Elementary School Lexington | 1.4 mi | 7.3 |
| LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Julius Marks Elementary School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Glendover Elementary School Lexington | 2.0 mi | 8.1 |
| REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Lexington | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Tates Creek Middle School Lexington | 1.7 mi | 6.7 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.9 mi | 7.3 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 4.8 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 5.5 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Tates Creek High School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 8.1 |
| THE CENTENARY SCHOOL Lexington | 2.2 mi | — |
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 Middle 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 |
|---|---|
| Boyle County Middle School Danville, KY | 6.0 |
| North Laurel Middle School London, KY | 6.0 |
| Ohio County Middle School Hartford, KY | 6.0 |
| South Oldham Middle School Crestwood, KY | 6.0 |
| Anderson County Middle School Lawrenceburg, KY | 5.9 |
| Barren County Middle School Glasgow, KY | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Middle School
What grades does Southern Middle School serve?
Southern Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern Middle School?
Southern Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 764 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Middle School is 13.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Middle School rank in KY?
Southern Middle School is ranked #716 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Middle School has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Middle School has 34.3% math proficiency and 48.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Middle School a charter school?
No, Southern Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southern Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Middle School?
53.8% of students at Southern Middle 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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 764
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 56
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 53.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Fayette County
- Phone
- (859) 381-3582
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #48 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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