The top reported proficiency rate is 76% in English language arts. The lowest is 58% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Bush Elementary School
Bush Elementary School serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in London, Kentucky, as part of the Laurel County district. It is a regular public school, not a charter or magnet, and it operates as a neighborhood elementary school for the community. The school’s enrollment is made up overwhelmingly of white students, with small shares of Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial students. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic mix of the surrounding area.
Academically, Bush Elementary posts results that are strong for its region. On the Kentucky Summative Assessment, across the tested grades and subjects, the school’s overall proficiency index places it in the top tier of Laurel County’s elementary schools. That said, the county has only two districts, so the comparison set is small, but the performance is nevertheless well above the middle of that group. In math, proficiency rates are consistently solid in third and fourth grades, with a modest dip in fifth grade. In reading and language arts, third and fourth graders also perform at a high level; fifth-grade ELA results were suppressed by the state for data privacy reasons, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about that cohort’s performance. Science is tested in fourth grade, and the proficiency rate there is lower than in math and reading—a pattern not uncommon in elementary schools but one a family might note if science achievement is a priority. Social studies at fifth grade shows a proficiency rate similar to math at that grade level. Overall, the school’s test results indicate a solid academic foundation for its students, particularly in the early tested grades, with some variation by subject and grade.
The school environment is that of a mid-sized elementary school serving a rural and small-town population. London, the county seat, is a compact community with a historic downtown along U.S. Route 25 and commercial development near the Interstate 75 corridor. It functions as a regional hub for the surrounding micropolitan area, the largest of its kind in Kentucky. The town has seen land annexation in recent years, indicating some growth pressure, and in 2025 a severe tornado caused widespread destruction in southern portions of the city, which will likely drive rebuilding efforts. The economic context is modest: housing values in the area are below the state median, and the national unemployment rate reported recently is moderate. For a family considering relocation, the housing market here is more affordable than much of the state.
Bush Elementary does not provide high school programs, so there is no graduation rate to report. No data on chronic absenteeism, staffing ratios, or discipline were available in the source material. The district brief turned up no recent changes or initiatives of lasting impact, so nothing is reported on that front.
For whom does Bush Elementary fit? It is a good match for families seeking a straightforward, neighborhood public elementary school in a small Appalachian city with a strong sense of local identity and relatively affordable housing. The academic results suggest a school that is performing well in its regional context, particularly in math and reading at the lower elementary grades. Parents who value a racially and economically diverse student body should note the demographics: the school is predominantly white and serves a majority of students from lower-income households. Those with a specific interest in science or social studies may want to discuss curriculum depth with the school, as the state test results in those subjects are less uniformly high than in the core literacy and math areas. For a family moving to the London area, Bush Elementary offers a solid, community-anchored option with clear academic strengths and a setting that is neither urban nor remote.
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