A guide to Louisville's 200+ schools

Louisville has 200+ schools educating over 100,000 students. We’re giving you the 411 on enrollment, student-teacher ratio, tuition, and more (thanks to data from U.S. News & World Report ) for the area’s major public + private schools. And don’t worry, there won’t be any homework .

Jefferson County Public Schools

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) contains 170 schools for 94,393 students, according to U.S. News . Those include 104 elementary schools, 51 middle schools, and 24 high schools. Here are four fast facts about JCPS:

• There is a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio across the district.
• 82.6% of JCPS teachers have 3+ years of experience.
• JCPS spends an average of $15,126 per student each year.
• The district employs 182 full-time counselors.

The application period for elementary, middle, and high schools typically opens in November + December. Specific application dates for the 2025-2026 school year are TBD.

The district includes 59 magnet schools + programs, which offer a specific, themed curriculum or a specialized learning environment — think: the heavy highway construction program at Fairdale High, the fine arts program at Highland Middle, or the Spanish language immersion program at Hawthorne Elementary.

Here are some more JCPS resources:

• Read about JCPS’ student assignment + school choice.
• Enter your address into the JCPS school finder app to see options for your student.
• See the entire list of JCPS’ 170 schools.
• Get detailed descriptions, including enrollment size , school programs, and more for JCPS elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

Louisville’s Catholic Schools

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

The Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville organizes 52 schools across Derby City and three surrounding counties, with a total enrollment of ~19,000 students. Here are four fast facts about Louisville Catholic Schools:

• ~25% of students in Louisville Catholic Schools are from other faith traditions.
• Most high schools are single sex. Only Holy Cross High School (5144 Dixie Hwy.) and Bethlehem High School (309 W. Stephen Foster Ave., Bardstown) are co-educational.
• 95% of graduates pursue post-secondary education or college.
• The average student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1 for high schools.

In order to enroll in elementary school, children must be five years old to enter kindergarten and six years old to enter first grade as of August 1. Registration dates, tuition, and other details vary by school.


Prospective high school students must pass Catholic high school placement test in their eighth grade year. The test is offered by the individual high school the student wishes to attend. The next test is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and is free of charge.

Here are some additional resources:

• View the map of all 52 Louisville Catholic Schools.
• Read more about the preschool and elementary school enrollment process.
• Read more about the high school enrollment process.

Other Private Schools

Louisville Collegiate School , 2427 Glenmary Ave.

• Founded in 1915
• Grades PK-12
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 802
• Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
• Tuition: $27,500 annually
• Academics available for all children

Kentucky Country Day School , 4100 Springdale Rd.

• Founded in 1972
• Grades PK-12
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 825
• Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
• Tuition: $25,900 annually
• Academics available for all children

Walden School , 4238 Westport Rd.

• Founded in 1975
• Grades K-12
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 286
• Student-teacher ratio: 5:1
• Tuition: $15,850 annually
• Academics available for all children

Northside Christian Academy , 2214 Bank St.

• Founded in 1923
• Grades PK-12
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 108
• Student-teacher ratio: 12:1
• Tuition: $3,000 annually
• Academics available for children of the Christian faith

Highlands Latin School , 10901 Shelbyville Rd.

• Founded in 2000
• Grades PK-12
• Day school/boarding school
• Total enrollment: 745
• Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
• Tuition: $8,500 annually
• Academics available for children of the Christian faith

Waldorf School , 3110 Rock Creek Dr.

• Founded in 1992
• Grades PK-8
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 177
• Student-teacher ratio: 9:1
• Tuition: $7,900+
• Holistic academics available for children in the Waldorf Education style, based on the insights, teachings and principles of Rudolph Steiner

Specialty schools

The de Paul School , 1925 Duker Ave.

• Founded in 1970
• Grades K-8
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 164
• Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
• Tuition: $21,999 maximum
• Academics available for children with learning differences

Meredith-Dunn School , 3023 Melbourne Ave.

• Founded in 1978
• Grades 1-8
• Day school
• Total enrollment: 210
• Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
• Tuition: Data not available
• Academics available for children with learning differences