Average
#471 of 1,284 schools in KY
Top 37% in state
William Wells Brown Elementary
Elementary School · Fayette County
555 East Fifth St, Lexington, KY 40508
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
303
Student-Teacher
10.1:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lexington
#37 of 67
public schools
Kentucky elementary schools
#290 of 708
In district
#37 of 66
Fayette County
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About William Wells Brown Elementary
William Wells Brown Elementary is a regular public elementary school located in Lexington, Kentucky. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 303 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 with 30 full-time equivalent teachers. The school's MySchoolScout rating is 4.8 out of 10, placing it in the 37th percentile among Kentucky schools.
Academically, William Wells Brown Elementary focuses on fostering a supportive learning environment for its students. With an academic score of 1.5/10 and state rankings that indicate room for growth, the school is committed to enhancing proficiency rates in ELA/Reading (17% proficient) and Math (12% proficient). Despite these challenges, the dedicated staff works tirelessly to ensure each child receives personalized attention and support.
The school's location in a large city setting provides students with diverse opportunities and resources. William Wells Brown Elementary is situated at 555 East Fifth Street, making it accessible within the local community. The school aims to nurture well-rounded individuals by engaging them both inside and outside of the classroom.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at William Wells Brown Elementary 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 · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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William Wells Brown Elementary — Students at William Wells Brown Elementary score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.1%
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: 7.9/10.
How William Wells Brown Elementary Compares
See how William Wells Brown Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 17% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 17% (2022).
Location
555 East Fifth St, Lexington, KY 40508
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering William Wells Brown Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Ashland Elementary School (rated 9.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, STS. PETER & PAUL REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lexington, see our Lexington schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ashland Elementary School Lexington | 0.6 mi | 9.5 |
| George Washington Carver STEM Academy Lexington | 0.6 mi | 7.7 |
| GOOD SHEPHERD DAY SCHOOL Lexington | 0.6 mi | — |
| Homebound Secondary Lexington | 0.7 mi | — |
| Homebound Elementary Lexington | 0.7 mi | — |
| Lexington Trad Magnet School Lexington | 0.7 mi | 5.4 |
| Arlington Elementary School Lexington | 0.9 mi | 5.0 |
| SAYRE SCHOOL Lexington | 0.8 mi | 7.8 |
| KELL ACADEMY Lexington | 1.0 mi | — |
| LEXINGTON HEARING & SPEECH CENTER Lexington | 1.1 mi | — |
| Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elem School Lexington | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| STS. PETER & PAUL REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lexington | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| BLUEGRASS MONTESSORI SCHOOL Lexington | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| Harrison Elementary School Lexington | 1.2 mi | 4.8 |
| Cassidy Elementary School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.7 |
| Northern Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 5.9 |
| Morton Middle School Lexington | 1.6 mi | 7.8 |
| CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL Lexington | 1.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Yates Elementary School Lexington | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| UK Early Childhood Lab Lexington | 1.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 40508 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$28,040
Median Home Value
$174,900
Median Rent
$900/mo
Population
24,356
College Educated
35.8%
Homeownership
28.7%
Avg Commute
18.3 min
Poverty Rate
37.4%
Median Age
23.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding William Wells Brown Elementary has a median household income of $28,040. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $174,900, with a median rent of $900/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.4%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 18 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 |
|---|---|
| Flat Gap Elementary School Flatgap, KY | 6.7 |
| Manchester Elementary School Manchester, KY | 6.7 |
| Robinson Elementary School Ary, KY | 6.7 |
| Shearer Elementary School Winchester, KY | 6.7 |
| Sinking Fork Elementary School Hopkinsville, KY | 6.7 |
| Tollesboro Elementary School Tollesboro, KY | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about William Wells Brown Elementary
What grades does William Wells Brown Elementary serve?
William Wells Brown Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend William Wells Brown Elementary?
William Wells Brown Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 303 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at William Wells Brown Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at William Wells Brown Elementary is 10.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does William Wells Brown Elementary rank in KY?
William Wells Brown Elementary is ranked #471 out of 1,284 schools in KY.
What is William Wells Brown Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
William Wells Brown Elementary has a composite rating of 6.7 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 William Wells Brown Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, William Wells Brown Elementary has 12.2% math proficiency and 17.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is William Wells Brown Elementary a charter school?
No, William Wells Brown Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is William Wells Brown Elementary a Title I school?
No, William Wells Brown Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for William Wells Brown Elementary?
86.1% of students at William Wells Brown Elementary 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 303
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 10.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Fayette County
- Phone
- (859) 381-4990
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
Fayette County- District Enrollment
- 41,697
- Schools in District
- 79
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $18,318
- District Rank
- #37 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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