• Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 629,000
    Student Enrollment: 543
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 28.5%
    White/Caucasian: 34.3%
    Hispanic: 22%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 14%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 72%
    % ELL Learners: 35%
    Founded: 1967
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sarah Williams
  • CONTACT:
    6900 Fegenbush Ln
    Louisville, KY 40228
    502-485-8295
    sarah.williams@jefferson.kyschools.us
Luhr Elementary School
Louisville, KY
Our school staff all passionately feel that “Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Luhr Elementary has seen great outcomes from our persistent efforts to combat learning loss due to CoVid-19. Our students and staff have worked hard to not only gain back learning loss, but to exceed pre-Covid academic attainment. This was made possible through our implementation of the co-teaching model with all grade-levels, vertical and grade-level intentional backwards planning, and professional development equipping teachers with the necessary tools to work together using high-yield instructional practices and co-teaching models.

Our Reading scores increased in the proficient/distinguished categories 20% points over the last 2 years and our Math scores increased over 21% points over the last 2 years.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
At Luhr Elementary, our students and staff utilize a variety of strategies to increase student learning. Our staff implement evidence-based co-teaching models for our ECE and ESL students. Homeroom teachers and support staff have worked to plan instruction using the parallel and station teaching models which assist in giving students Tier 1 scaffolded instruction. Homeroom and support teachers then work to analyze student attainment of grade-level standards to plan next steps for students.

Our grade-level Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) have had a focus on being inclusive of all support staff for each grade-level to ensure that everyone is working together and supporting each student. The teachers have had an avenue to share tools and strategies, talk about next steps for individual students and to provide targeted support to ensure everyone an opportunity to reach grade-level benchmarks.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Our Title 1 funds assist our school with funding our co-teaching classrooms with additional personnel on our ECE and ESL staff teams. Without these Federal Funds, we would not be able to fund an ECE certified teacher working with each grade-level, nor an additional ESL teacher to decrease teacher caseloads for more targeted student support. The funds are also used to educate and support our families with strategies for a continuation of learning at home through a variety of programs such as our family curriculum nights. Professional development training on our research-based reading curriculum, EL Education, as well as time for teachers to intentionally plan standards-based units of instruction are also funded with our Title 1 funds.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our staff was trained on high-yield, research-based co-teaching models that were implemented in Tier 1 settings across the school. Also, through our needs assessment, we confirmed ECE and ESL staff wanted support with implementing instructional strategies while co-teaching and working with small groups.

5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Our staff and students make-up a strong school community and positive environment at Luhr Elementary. The experience and tenure at Luhr of our staff allows multiple children in a family to have similar school experiences. It assists with a strong trust between our school and families as well. Our teachers have strong working relationships with each other and are able to hone their craft year after year. The stability and familiarity of our staff plays a significant role in our academic success.

Additionally, our school staff all feel passionately that “Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters.” This drives the decisions that are made by our school and staff to ensure that we are all working together for a common goal. Student learning, belonging, and achievement are a vital part of our school community!
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Community involvement is critical to the success of our students. We partner with families, and area businesses to provide school to community connections. We hosted a family night at the Ky Science Center and Valu-Market. We work with our neighboring high school, as their students teach our students how to take care of their basic health needs. This helps to instill a true sense of community for our students and confirms their membership of our community.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 629,000
    Student Enrollment: 543
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 28.5%
    White/Caucasian: 34.3%
    Hispanic: 22%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 14%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:15
    % Reduced Lunch: 72%
    % ELL Learners: 35%
    Founded: 1967
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sarah Williams
  • CONTACT:
    6900 Fegenbush Ln
    Louisville, KY 40228
    502-485-8295
    sarah.williams@jefferson.kyschools.us