Elementary School

To begin the Primary Program (formerly known as Kindergarten–Grade Three), a child must be five years old on or before October 1. To enter Primary 2 (formerly known as Grade One), a child must be six years old on or before October 1 and must have successfully completed an accredited Kindergarten Program. Elementary school students, Primary (formerly known as Kindergarten–Grade Three) and Intermediate (Grades Four and Five), study basic skills such as language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies plus physical education, art, music, and library skills. Increased emphasis is placed on literature-based reading and thematic instruction. All elementary students learn computer skills in their school’s computer lab, through in-class computer use, and/or by practicing on portable laptop computers. In addition, each school offers a variety of special activities and provides a full-time Counseling Program. In general, the elementary school day begins at 9:05 a.m. and ends at 3:40 p.m.

The Primary Program is that part of elementary school in which children are enrolled from the time they begin school until they are ready to enter the fourth grade. This program, mandated by the Kentucky Education Reform Act, replaces the traditional kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. The structure is flexible, allowing children to be grouped and regrouped as their learning needs require. The program’s basic philosophy is that children are unique individuals who differ from one another in their capabilities, interests, and rates of physical, mental, social, and emotional growth. The program includes these key elements:

• Developmentally appropriate practices;
• Multi-age, multi-ability classrooms;
• Continuous progress;
• Authentic assessment;
• Qualitative reporting methods;
• Professional teamwork; and
• Positive parent involvement.

All elementary schools are held to the same high standards of excellence and student success, and many research-based programs exist, such as Accelerated Learning, Reading Recovery, Slingerland, MegaSkills™, and the Child Development Project. In addition, Magnet programs are available throughout the District. Therefore, the exact appearance of the Primary Program varies from classroom to classroom and from school to school.

Intermediate
Following successful completion of the Primary Program, students enter the fourth grade.

During the fourth and fifth grades, students work on developing proficiencies in reading, writing, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, art, music, library, and thinking skills. Fourth-grade students complete a writing portfolio. Students also learn how to learn from past mistakes and to cooperate with schoolmates on in-class assignments.

The Intermediate Program encourages students to form their own opinions, to read and write for enjoyment and knowledge, to work in teams, and to develop a strong sense of self-worth and confidence in their abilities. The goal of the Intermediate Program is to prepare students adequately for middle school. For additional information about elementary school instructional programs, call 485-3148.

Elementary School Managed Choice Plan
Elementary school students (Primary through Grade Five) are assigned to attend a specific school, based upon several factors, including home address, resides school, cluster, building capacity, racial-balance guidelines, and the student’s specific program needs.

Parents of elementary students may apply for their children (1) to attend the resides school, (2) to attend a school within the resides school’s cluster, (3) the resides school's enrollment is at maximum capacity. In this case, parents may receive assistance from the Office of Elementary Student Assignment or the Parent Assistance Center to arrange placement for the student, or (4) to receive a transfer to a school in another cluster.

Resides School—The resides school is the school that serves the student’s address and also is called the resides school because the student resides in its attendance area. Call 485-3050 to find out the location of the resides school and other schools within the cluster (see description of cluster).

The student will be assigned to the resides school unless:

1. the parent applies and the student is accepted into another school (Cluster School, Magnet School/Program, or transfer).
2. the student requires a program offered only at a certain location and the JCPS District makes the school assignment based upon the student’s need.
3. the resides school’s enrollment is at maximum capacity or the student’s placement would cause the resides school to be out of compliance with the District’s racial-balance guidelines. In either of these cases, parents may receive assistance from the Office of Elementary Student Assignment or the Parent Assistance Centers to arrange placement for the student.

Transportation is provided if the student lives a mile or more from the assigned school.

Cluster
Each resides school is a member of a school cluster. Parent choices—made on the basis of a variety of programs offered at schools within the cluster—are granted based on building capacity and racial-balance guidelines. Transportation is provided to most schools within the cluster. For more information on cluster offerings, the parent may contact any school within the cluster (see chart below), Click on Cluster Head for school descriptions or call 485-3802.

Magnet—A Magnet is a school (or program within a school) that attracts students Districtwide or from a portion of the District. One type of elementary Magnet School (Traditional) is offered at several locations, and students are assigned to a school based upon their address. Parents apply for placement for their child in a Magnet School/Program during the winter. The school notifies the parent in the spring if the child is accepted, and the child enters the Magnet School/Program at the beginning of the following school year. If space does not permit the student to be accepted, the parent may apply again the following year. Waiting lists are not maintained from year to year. School bus transportation is provided for all elementary Magnet schools and elementary Magnet programs except the Brown School. In place of school bus transportation, the Brown School provides free TARC tickets for all students who need them. For more information on elementary Magnet schools and elementary Magnet programs, call 485-3323.

Student Transfers—Parents may request student transfers for specific reasons such as child care, adjustment, hardship, or medical. Transfers are granted on the basis of building/class capacity and racial-balance guidelines. Transportation is not provided for transfers. For more information regarding student transfers, call 485-3340.

Elementary Magnet Schools and Magnet Programs
In addition to learning more about the student’s resides school/cluster, parents may also want to consider elementary Magnet schools and Magnet programs offered at the following schools:

Magnet Schools:(pdf)
*Audubon Traditional Elementary—Traditional Magnet School
Brandeis Elementary —Mathematics, Science, and Technology Magnet School
Brown School—Self-Directed Learning Magnet School
*Carter Traditional Elementary—Traditional Magnet School
*Greathouse/Shryock Traditional Elementary—Traditional Magnet School
*Schaffner Traditional Elementary—Traditional Magnet School

*School assignments are based upon the student’s address.

Magnet Programs:(pdf)
Byck Elementary—Talent Development Magnet Program and Waldorf - Inspired Magnet Program.
*Coleridge-Taylor Elementary—Montessori Magnet School
Foster Academy—Traditional Magnet Program
*Kennedy Montessori Elementary—Montessori Magnet School
King Elementary—Gifted and Talented Magnet Program (Grades One through Five) & Visual and Performing Arts Magnet (Grades One through Five)
Maupin Elementary—Traditional Magnet Program
Wheatley Elementary—Science, Technology, and Humanities Magnet Program
Young Elementary—Global Institute for Science, Math, and Technology

*School assignments are based upon the student’s address.

Elementary School Application Process
Parents of students who will enter the Jefferson County Public Schools for the first time and parents of students seeking placement in Magnet schools/programs should submit an application during the elementary application period (February 1-March 3), for entrance in the following school year. Notification of acceptance or nonacceptance is made by early May.

Applications for elementary schools/programs are available in all Jefferson County Public elementary schools during February or may be obtained by contacting the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs at 485-3323; Elementary Student Assignment at 485-3802; or the Parent Assistance Centers at 485-6250 or 485-6771.

Students new to the District may apply after the deadline, but placement is dependent upon available openings, admissions criteria for specific Magnet programs, building capacity, and racial-balance guidelines.

On the elementary application, parents should indicate their first and second choices in the cluster. If the parent wishes to apply for the child to attend a Magnet School/Program, application is made on the same form in section B. Parents may indicate a first- and second-choice Magnet School/Program.

Submitting more than one Magnet School/Program application will cause any previous Magnet School/Program application(s) to be voided. Applicants will receive a postcard from the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs acknowledging receipt of their applications within three to four weeks.

Students will be notified by the school to which they have applied if additional material is required. Parents and students should promptly comply with all requests for supplemental information to ensure further consideration in the selection process.

Traditional schools/programs and the Brown School use a random-draw list process. Applications for a Traditional School/Program and the Brown School will be included in the random-draw lists only if indicated as a student’s first choice and if the application is submitted by the deadline.

For more information, call the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs at 485-3323.

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