Average
#490 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 38% in state
Southern Middle School
Middle School · Fayette County
400 Wilson Downing Rd, Lexington, KY 40517
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
764
Student-Teacher
13.6:1
Score
6.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Kentucky schools
#490 of 1,284
In Lexington
#33 of 67
public schools
In district
#33 of 66
Fayette County
School environment
9.4 / 10
Excellent
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Southern Middle School
Middle School in Lexington · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southern Elementary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lansdowne Elementary School
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southern Middle School
Southern Middle School is a public middle school in Lexington, KY, part of Fayette County. Southern Middle School serves approximately 764 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Southern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #490 of 1,284 schools in KY.
Structured state assessment records for Southern Middle School show 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 7.1
- KY avg 6.2
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Middle School — Students at Southern Middle School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
53.8%
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: 5.0/10.
How Southern Middle School Compares
See how Southern Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
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 8.5/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 5.0 |
| Lansdowne Elementary School Lexington | 0.7 mi | 4.0 |
| THE PROVISION SCHOOL Lexington | 0.6 mi | 7.3 |
| KORE ACADEMY Lexington | 1.1 mi | 8.5 |
| Veterans Park Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| ST MICHAELS SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | — |
| Millcreek Elementary School Lexington | 1.4 mi | 4.8 |
| LEXINGTON UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| Julius Marks Elementary School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 4.4 |
| Tates Creek Elementary School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| Glendover Elementary School Lexington | 2.0 mi | 7.5 |
| REDWOOD COOPERATIVE SCHOOL Lexington | 2.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Tates Creek Middle School Lexington | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.9 mi | 7.4 |
| COMMUNITY MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.9 mi | 6.0 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 4.7 |
| LEXINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 2.1 mi | 5.4 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lexington | 1.9 mi | 6.9 |
| Tates Creek High School Lexington | 1.8 mi | 5.7 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Anderson County Middle School Lawrenceburg, KY | 6.8 |
| Bardstown Middle School Bardstown, KY | 6.8 |
| Beaumont Middle School Lexington, KY | 6.8 |
| Georgetown Middle School Georgetown, KY | 6.8 |
| Holmes Middle School Covington, KY | 6.8 |
| Kenneth D. King Middle School Harrodsburg, KY | 6.8 |
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 ranks #490 of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is Southern Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southern Middle School has 44% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 24.2%
- Phone
- (859) 381-3582
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #33 of 66
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