The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in English language arts. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Semple Elementary
Semple Elementary is a regular public school in the Jefferson County Public School district, serving kindergarten through fifth grade from its location in Louisville. The school has a notably diverse student body, with a substantial portion of students identifying as Black, a sizable Hispanic population, and a smaller white enrollment, alongside students of two or more races and small Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander groups. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of many families in the attendance area.
The school's academic assessment results are a clear soft spot. In the most recent testing year, proficiency rates on Kentucky's state assessments were low across the tested subjects and grade levels. In reading, rates were below the quarter of students meeting the proficient bar in third and fourth grades, and even lower in fifth grade. In math, third and fourth grade proficiency rates were similarly low, and no data was reported for fifth grade. Science and social studies results were also suppressed. The school's overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades placed it in the bottom quartile relative to other elementary schools in Jefferson County. A parent may want to discuss the school's improvement strategies and targeted support with the principal or district staff.
Because it is a primary school, Semple does not have a graduation rate, nor are metrics such as chronic absenteeism or course access in advanced high school programs applicable. Information on discipline rates, teacher staffing levels, and student attendance patterns was not available in the data provided.
The housing context for the school's attendance zone reflects typical affordability pressures. Home values in the area are well below the national benchmark and also below the statewide average. Rents have been rising at a rate above the national average, and the estimated monthly mortgage payment is moderately higher than the typical rent, making both renting and buying a meaningful household expense relative to national median household income. The economic context shows a national unemployment rate that is low by historical standards.
Louisville is a large consolidated city-county with a spread-out, largely car-dependent built environment. Its economy is driven by major employers in health care, air cargo logistics, and food and beverage production, including UPS’s worldwide hub, Humana, and Yum! Brands. The city’s vast land area, a result of the merger of the city and Jefferson County, means that the neighborhood around Semple is a mix of commercial, industrial, and residential uses, characteristic of a mid-size American city. The University of Louisville and other higher education institutions are present, as are civic and cultural anchors along the Ohio River.
No parent-relevant changes within the Jefferson County district, such as boundary adjustments, program launches, or budget decisions, were confirmed in the data available, so that context is not represented here. For a family considering Semple, the academic performance data is the primary concern to investigate further, balanced against the school’s role as a neighborhood elementary serving a diverse and economically varied community in a major metropolitan area.
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