The reported proficiency rate for English language arts is 7%.
Original Research by School Decision on Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School
Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School is a regular public school in Louisville, Kentucky, that serves only sixth grade. That single grade band makes it unusual among middle schools; most in the district span sixth through eighth. The school sits on South 17th Street, within the Jefferson County Public Schools system.
The student body is small for a public school of its type. A very high share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, meaning the school serves a community with widespread economic need. The enrollment is predominantly Black, with smaller numbers of white students, students identifying as two or more races, and a handful of Hispanic students. A family considering this school should understand that its peer environment reflects that demographic and economic profile directly.
Academic performance on state assessments is available for reading at sixth grade, and the proficiency rate is low. Math and science results for sixth grade are suppressed in the public data, and because the school has no seventh grade, there are no test results from later middle-school grades. The overall proficiency picture, drawn from the one reported subject, places this school in the bottom quarter among Jefferson County’s districts when compared on a combined index of tested subjects. A parent may want to ask the school directly about its approach to math and science instruction, and about how it supports students who are not yet meeting grade-level benchmarks in reading.
There is no graduation rate to report, because the school does not serve high school grades. Data on chronic absenteeism, discipline, staffing ratios, and course access are not available in the public record for this school. Families who want a fuller picture of the day-to-day environment should seek that information from the school or district.
The housing market in the zip code area around the school shows home values well below national and state averages, and rents are modest. The area is relatively affordable compared with much of the country. Louisville itself is a large, low-density consolidated city-county that merges urban, suburban, and industrial uses. Major employers include UPS, Humana, and Yum! Brands. The Ohio River and Churchill Downs are prominent civic landmarks. The city grew substantially after a city-county merger decades ago, creating a vast metropolitan footprint that is car-dependent outside the downtown core.
For a parent weighing academic pathway and support, this school presents a clear profile. It is a small, single-grade school where nearly all students come from low-income households. Academic performance in reading is low relative to other schools in the county, and other test results are not publicly visible. The school’s grade configuration means that students move on to another middle school after one year, so continuity from sixth to seventh grade depends on the feeder pattern within Jefferson County Public Schools. The district itself shows no publicly reported recent changes or initiatives; families may want to inquire about current priorities and support programs at both the school and district levels. This school fits a parent who wants a small sixth-grade setting in an affordable, mixed-use urban area and who will actively investigate what academic supports are in place for students who are behind.
See more original research from School Decision →