Shively’s public schools score below 90% of Kentucky districts on tests and graduation
27% of students in Shively’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Kentucky average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Shively, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Kentucky, not nationally.
From Kentucky state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Shively’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 210 Kentucky towns with household incomes within a quarter of Shively’s, its schools beat 4%, lower than their 10% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 35% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 45% and 38% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
87% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $18,739 per student, against $14,752 across Kentucky (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Three elementary schools, then 27 middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
City Schoolhouse (private) is in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Shively’s grade
D: better than 10% of Kentucky school districts, #125 of 139 Kentucky towns. Both inputs trail the Kentucky average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Shively, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Shively · depends on your address
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Kindergarten in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
1st grade in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
2nd grade in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
3rd grade in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
4th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
5th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
Grades K–5 · 573 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Mill Creek Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 437 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Cane Run Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 401 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
9th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Butler Traditional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,290 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Western High
Grades 9–12 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
10th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Butler Traditional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,290 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Western High
Grades 9–12 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
11th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Butler Traditional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,290 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Western High
Grades 9–12 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
12th grade in Shively · depends on your address
Butler Traditional High
Grades 9–12 · 1,290 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Western High
Grades 9–12 · 409 students · 12:1 students per teacher · in Louisville
Shively’s public schools are run by Jefferson County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Shively vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Kentucky towns that share Shively’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Shively | D | Jefferson County |
Every school in Shively
34 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Kentucky’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Shively’s schools
Are Shively’s schools good?
On Kentucky’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Shively children attend score below 90% of Kentucky’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #125 of 139 Kentucky towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Shively in?
Jefferson County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 95,124 students in 167 schools (2024–25).
Where do Shively kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Butler Traditional High and Western High.
What is Shively’s graduation rate?
87% of the class of 2023 in Jefferson County School District graduated in four years, against 91% across Kentucky.
How much does Shively spend per student?
$18,739 in Jefferson County School District (FY2024), against $14,752 across Kentucky. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Shively?
Yes: City Schoolhouse (religious, grades PK, 46 students).
Parents talk
What Shively families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Shively → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Kentucky. Stars are from neighbors.