Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Where will my child go to school?
To find the school serving the student's address, use our online School Finder feature. It's fast and easy; you just type in your address. Or you can call the JCPS Demographics Office at 485-3050.
JCPS staff members refer to the school that serves the student's address as the "resides" school because the student resides in its attendance area. Many students attend their resides school, but JCPS has developed a system of school choice that offers students an array of educational opportunities. Find out more about school choice.
How do I enroll my child?
Take your child to the school he or she will attend (if you don't know which school that is, see the answer above), and take the following information and documents:
- The student's Social Security number
- Proof of address-Bring a recent utility bill, rent receipt, contract on your house, or other document that shows your name and address. Sorry, the school cannot accept a driver's license.
- Original or certified copy of the student's birth certificate-A child must be five years old by October 1 to enroll in Primary 1 (kindergarten). A child must be six years old by October 1 and a graduate of an accredited kindergarten program to enroll in Primary 2 (first grade).
- If the student is transferring from another school district, bring his or her academic records. If you cannot get the records yourself, bring contact information for someone who can send the records to JCPS from the student's former school. Also, bring a recent report card, achievement test results, class schedule, or other information that the school can use to place the student until the records arrive.
After you enroll, you also will need to provide health documents, including evidence of a physical examination and up-to-date immunizations. The school will provide forms and tell you the deadline for returning them. Find out more about required health documents. If you're planning to move into the district, you can call JCPS Health Services at (502) 485-3387 to have forms mailed to you before you move.
Open enrollment for elementary schools usually is held during February; for middle and high schools, it's held during November, December, and early January.
If you have more questions about enrollment, call the Elementary Student Assignment Office at 485-3802 or the Parent Assistance Center at 485-6250.
What is a magnet school? What is a traditional school? How do I apply?
A magnet school is a school that offers a specialized learning environment or focuses on a particular academic area. A traditional school is a type of magnet school that offers a disciplined learning environment. See the school choice section for more information and details on the application process.
How can I get test scores and other information on JCPS schools?
Go to the Schools section of our site, select the school in which you're interested, and then choose the report you want. You also might want to look at reports from the Accountability, Research, and Planning Department and find out about JCPS achievements.
What do you teach at each grade level?
Summaries of our instructional programs are available in the Elementary Overview, Middle School Overview, and High School Overview. You'll find detailed information in the Core Content Guide. You also might want more information on our instructional programs and on school choice.
How are students graded?
In the primary program (kindergarten through grade three), teachers use this system to evaluate student progress:
- O--Outstanding
- S-Satisfactory
- U-Unsatisfactory/Needs improvement
In the Intermediate Program (fourth and fifth grade), Middle, and High School, teachers use this system:
- A: 93-100 percent (outstanding performance)
- B: 86-92 percent (above-average)
- C: 79-85 percent (average)
- D: 70-78 percent (below-average)
- U: Below 70 percent (unsatisfactory)
- I: Incomplete
For more details download a PDF versions of our Elementary, Middle and High progression, promotion, and grading hand books.
When are report cards sent out?
Elementary schools send out reports at six-week intervals. Students get three interim reports and three regular report cards. Kentucky Early Learning Profile reports are sent home with students who still are working on early learning skills.
Middle schools send out report cards at six-week intervals; high schools, at the end of each semester. High schools also send 6-week and 12-week progress reports.
See the parent calendar for specific dates that schools distribute report cards. A few schools have received Board of Education approval for an alternate report card/grading system. Contact your child's school to make sure you have all the details on its system.
What are the high school graduation requirements?
To earn a high school diploma from JCPS, a student must complete the state-required 22 credits and receive a score of Apprentice-level or higher on the state Math Assessment and on a Writing Portfolio. After the class of 2006 graduates, students also will need to earn a score of Apprentice-level or higher on the state Reading Assessment.
Students who don't score Apprentice-level or higher on the state reading or math test will complete a set of JCPS-designed "competency modules." Tenth-grade students will have two years to complete the competency modules in reading, and eleventh-grade students will have one year to complete the modules in math.
At the end of the junior year, teachers will evaluate each student's Writing Portfolio. Students who lack writing skills or portfolio entries will receive additional assistance in their senior English classes.
For more information, download the PDF version of our high school Student Progression, Promotion, and Grading handbook.
Are before- and after-school childcare programs available?
The Childcare Enrichment Program, a partnership between the YMCA and JCPS, provides both before- and after-school childcare. Full-time care is available during winter and spring breaks, on snow days, on professional-development days, and during the summer. This is a tuition-based program for children in full-day kindergarten through the eighth grade (ages 5 to 14). For more information, call 485-3834 or your local YMCA branch.
Are preschool and other early childhood programs available?
JCPS serves children four years old and younger through a range of programs: Head Start/Early Head Start, Prekindergarten, the Three-Year-Old Program, Tuition-Based Preschool, Child Care, Early Childhood Special Services, and Family Education/Even Start. For information about the programs, contact the JCPS Early Childhood Office at 485-3919.
Which bus will my child ride?
JCPS bus routes and schedules are available online through our easy-to-use Bus Finder feature. You just click the name of the school and display the routes. Or you can search by school and street name. Route information also is available at schools and Central Office locations.
JCPS maintains a fleet of about 860 school buses. They offer transportation for most students living more than one mile from an assigned school. Specially equipped buses are available for special-needs students.
Some students use the JCPS depot system. A depot is a location for transferring students from one bus to another. On some bus routes, you will notice the word "depot," which means the bus will go to a depot, and the students will get on other buses that take them to their assigned schools. To find the number of your student's bus from the depot to the school, go to our online Bus Finder feature and click Depot Information.
To contact the JCPS Transportation Department, call 485-3470, or click here for more bus, compound, and depot information.
What are school hours?
For most schools, hours are 9:05 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. for elementary students and 7:40 a.m. to 2:20 p.m. for middle and high school students. Call your child's school to confirm the hours because a few schools adjust them slightly.
How do I know if school is cancelled or delayed because of bad weather?
If JCPS officials decide to cancel school because of inclement weather, they send the information to local television and radio stations and to www.cancellations.com as early in the morning as possible. If schools are closed for the entire day, scheduled activities, including athletic events, will be canceled, but some athletic and academic tournaments still may be held.
If schools open on a delayed schedule, local television and radio stations will announce the opening time for that day. All bus pickup times will be delayed accordingly. For example, if elementary schools open on a one-hour delay, the normal bus pickup time for students will be delayed by one hour.
Local TV and radio stations also will make an announcement if schools are dismissed early. All after-school activities, classes, and programs will be cancelled for that afternoon and evening. If your child is a high school student, please contact the school to see if evening competitions will be held.
When is spring break? When is winter break?
See the school calendar. It is set each year by the Jefferson County Board of Education. Students attend school 177 days from mid-August through May. If schools are closed because of bad weather, the board extends the school year.
A few schools follow alternate calendars:
How much do school meals cost?
For Elementary students, lunch costs $2.25 and for High School students, lunch costs $2.35.
Breakfast is available in Elementary schools for $1.75 and in High School for $1.85. A la carte milk is $.35.
Free or reduced-price meals available to students who qualify. Call 495-7080 for application information. A new application is required each school year. Reduced price breakfast is $.30; lunch, $.40.
Adults who join their child for a meal must purchase each menu selection at the A la Carte price.
See the elementary school lunch menu.
See the middle and high school lunch menu.
Visit the JCPS Nutrition Services Department home page.
How can I help? Are volunteer opportunities available?
We can match your talents and skills with the needs of schools, programs, and projects throughout the community. Volunteer opportunities are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings. For more information, call the Volunteer Talent Center at 485-3710.
Of course, you also can volunteer to help at your child's school. And you might be interested in joining the PTA and running for election to a School-Based Decision Making Council.
What if my child has special-education needs?
Exceptional Child Education (ECE) services are available to students with disabilities. The scope of services ranges from consultation to placement in a special school setting. Whenever possible, ECE services are provided in the least restrictive environment with non-disabled students. Most schools in the District provide ECE programs, but not every program is available at every school. For more information, visit the ECE home page. If your child is new to JCPS and already has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) from a prior school, contact ECE Placement at (502) 485-3215.
Do you have a student code of conduct?
Yes. The Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline and the Student Bill of Rights is a document that provides clear rules. Each student receives a copy of the document at the beginning of the school year. You can download a PDF version.
JCPS has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding violence and student use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products on school grounds or at school activities. In addition, harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
How can I request a teachers qualifications?
Under the provision of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, parents of a student attending a Title 1 school may request information about the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers. Contact your child's school for more information.
