The top reported proficiency rate is 51% in English language arts. The lowest is 43% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Carter G. Woodson Academy
Carter G. Woodson Academy serves students in grades six through twelve as an alternative school within Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky. Alternative schools typically serve students who benefit from a non-traditional setting, often including those who have experienced disruptions in a conventional school environment or who need more individualized academic and behavioral support. The school is named for the noted historian and educator, and its mission and approach are shaped by that alternative designation.
The student body is modest in size, with a total enrollment that is relatively small for a school spanning seven grade levels. The middle school grades each have roughly the same number of students, while the high school grades taper off, with the senior class being the smallest. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly Black, with smaller shares of Hispanic, White, and multiracial students. About three out of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a common measure of household economic need.
State assessment results from the most recent testing year provide a mixed picture. In sixth-grade reading, a strong majority of students scored at or above proficient, and in sixth-grade math, about half did. By seventh grade, reading proficiency dropped noticeably, and math proficiency was also lower. Eighth-grade math results were the weakest among the tested grades, with about one in three students reaching proficiency. Eighth-grade reading was similar to seventh grade, while eighth-grade social studies showed about half of students at the proficient level. The pattern suggests that academic achievement is higher at the entry grade and declines as students move through the middle school years. Seventh-grade science results were not reported, a suppression that often occurs when the tested group is too small for reliable reporting.
Because the school serves high school grades, a graduation rate would normally be expected, but it was not available in the data provided. That could reflect the nature of an alternative school, where students may graduate on different timelines or the rate is calculated differently. High school state testing results were also absent; Kentucky administers assessments in high school, but those scores were not included here. A parent considering Woodson for high school may want to follow up directly with the school about its graduation rates and academic pathways.
Lexington is a consolidated city-county and the state’s second-largest city, known for the University of Kentucky, a strong thoroughbred horse industry, and a growing distillery scene. The city has an urban growth boundary that shapes development, keeping much of the surrounding area in horse farms and open space. The school is located on Winchester Road, in a commercial corridor on the east side of the city. Housing in the area is moderately priced relative to national benchmarks, and rents have been rising along with the rest of the region.
Fayette County Public Schools is the only school district in the county, so there is no other district within the county to compare against. The district’s recent bond projects and new school construction were topics we looked for, but publicly reported information was not available at this time. That absence does not mean nothing is happening; it simply means that information was not captured in the sources used here.
Carter G. Woodson Academy fills a specific role within Lexington’s public education landscape. For families whose child needs a smaller, alternative setting, especially in the middle grades, it offers a defined option. The academic results suggest that the school is strongest in early middle school reading, while math performance across all tested grades and reading in later grades are areas where families may want to understand how the school supports students who are behind grade level. The absence of high school graduation and testing data is a notable gap for anyone considering the upper grades. As with any alternative school, a direct conversation with the administration about student outcomes, support services, and the path to a diploma is essential.
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