Elementary Schools in Jefferson County

Jefferson County is home to three elementary schools—Wrens Elementary School, Louisville Academy School, and Carver Elementary School—serving grades PK-5 in a high-poverty, rural district where all students qualify for free/reduced lunch.

Carver Elementary School is the standout improver, jumping from the 20th to the 50th percentile in rankings over the past year. Its 3rd grade math proficiency soared to 73.3%, more than double the district average, and 4th grade math hit 57.7%. However, its 5th grade math (29.6%) and science (21.4%) lag behind district averages, suggesting gains are concentrated in early grades. Louisville Academy School is the consistent climber, steadily rising from the 20th to 33rd percentile. It leads the district in 5th grade math (39.5%) and science (34.2%), and boasts an impressive chronic absenteeism rate of just 13.3%—far better than the district’s 21.9% and even the state’s 17.7%. Wrens Elementary School, the largest school, has struggled with consistency, slipping from the 33rd to 28th percentile. It has the highest chronic absenteeism (23.5%) and the lowest per-student spending ($14,960), with math proficiency below district averages in most grades.

Across the district, a clear “fifth grade slump” emerges, with math proficiency dropping sharply from 4th to 5th grade at Carver (57.7% to 29.6%) and Wrens (41.2% to 25.5%). Spending does not neatly predict outcomes—Carver spends the most ($20,302 per student) and shows the most improvement, but Louisville achieves strong results with $4,398 less per student. While all schools trail state averages in most subjects, the upward trajectories at Carver and Louisville show progress is possible even in challenging circumstances. The Jefferson County district’s 1-star rating reflects systemic hurdles, but families should note that school choice within the district offers very different experiences—from Carver’s dramatic turnaround to Louisville’s steady reliability and Wrens’ ongoing struggles with attendance and achievement.