J. B. Atkinson Academy
An Eastern Zone and Choice Zone resides elementary on Duncan Street
Resides and choice school · Grades K–5 · Portland
- Grades: K–5
- How to get in: Address assignment or zone choice
- School day: 9:40 a.m.–4:20 p.m.
Atkinson is a Title I neighborhood elementary in the Eastern and Choice Zone, with a UofL partnership, STEM Lab, SOARR culture, and a late start.
2811 Duncan Street · Portland · Louisville, Kentucky
Official starting points
- Official Atkinson Academy site(opens in a new tab)
- JCPS student assignment and apply(opens in a new tab)
- Current Choices Guide(opens in a new tab)
- JCPS School Finder(opens in a new tab)
- KDE School Report Card(opens in a new tab)
School Choice:(502) 485-6250schoolchoice@jefferson.kyschools.us
What this school is
Atkinson is a resides school for some addresses and a ranked Choice Zone option for others. It is not a Traditional magnet. School Finder decides which path applies to a family.
The school lists a University of Louisville Signature Partnership, culturally relevant instruction, art, library, physical education, a STEM Lab, daily Chromebooks, and Eagles SOARR expectations: Safety, Ownership, Attitude, Responsibility, and Respect.
Who runs the building
Principal Dr. Arivia Parks
Dr. Parks has led Atkinson since 2022. The September 2026 directory also listed assistant principals Heather Cicchiello-Wright and Brooke Schlise and FRYSC coordinator Lisa Hirsch. Confirm current staff when you tour.
School details
- Address
- 2811 Duncan Street, Louisville, KY 40212
- Phone
- (502) 485-8203
- Official JCPS site
- jefferson.kyschools.us/o/atkinson(opens in a new tab)
- Title I school
- Eastern High cluster
- Choice Zone Network 3
- KDE CSI school
How families get in
Run School Finder on the exact address. If Atkinson is the resides school, register; a magnet application is not required to stay. Choice Zone families apply to rank eligible schools.
- Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- Use the School Choices section to rank another eligible zone school; magnet choices use a separate section.
- Returning students who have not moved do not need to reapply to remain at Atkinson.
- Complete Transportation Verification even when Atkinson is the resides school.
2027–28 application window
- November 2–December 18, 2026
- Confirm dates with JCPS before applying
Regular elementary transportation may apply to resides students. A magnet seat elsewhere does not automatically preserve an Atkinson bus.
Who it tends to fit
A good match when
- Atkinson is your resides or preferred Choice Zone school.
- The 9:40 a.m. start works for your household.
- You value the UofL partnership, STEM Lab, SOARR culture, and family supports.
Think twice when
- You need a 7:30 a.m. elementary schedule.
- You want a Traditional uniform culture or districtwide theme magnet.
- You are choosing almost entirely by state testing results.
Students
JCPS counted 477 students on October 1, 2025; the Choices Guide used 471. Counts change during the year.
Diversity index
49%
Calculated from the October 1, 2025 file. Atkinson was majority Black; the index describes student-body mix, not school quality.
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Black / African American | 322 | 68% |
| White | 94 | 20% |
| Two or more races and Asian | 33 | 7% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 28 | 6% |
Gender: 214 female · 263 male
- Free or reduced-price lunch: 431 students (90%)
- Multilingual learners: 44 students (9%)
- Title I school
- KDE accountability: CSI
Academics
Use the current Kentucky School Report Card first. Partnership and program descriptions do not replace the state results.
- Reading: 10% proficient and 4% distinguished; 14% combined P+D.
- Math: 10% proficient and 1% distinguished; 11% combined P+D.
- Both displayed bands were below JCPS elementary averages in the guide's September 2026 review.
Awards and recognition
UofL Signature Partnership
A university partnership supporting classroom practice.
Eagles SOARR
Safety, Ownership, Attitude, Responsibility, and Respect.
Student opportunities
STEM Lab, band, orchestra, athletics, leadership, and an award-winning step team.
Location and daily life
The Duncan Street campus is in Portland in west Louisville. Test the commute during the actual late-bell arrival period.
The 4:20 p.m. dismissal makes after-school care an important planning question.
Recent news, in context
KDE's 2025–26 diagnostic review identified Atkinson as a CSI school. Ask how that status changes instruction, staffing, and family communication this year.
Compare before you commit
Questions to ask on a tour
- 1.Is Atkinson my resides school or a Choice Zone option I need to rank?
- 2.What does the UofL partnership look like in a third-grade classroom?
- 3.How is CSI support changing reading and math instruction?
- 4.What after-school care exists after the 4:20 p.m. dismissal?
- 5.Which grades currently have space?
- 6.What transportation applies to my exact address?
What to do next
- 1.Run School Finder and record the resides school, zone, middle school, and high-school cluster.
- 2.Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- 3.Tour during the late-bell arrival and ask about instructional supports.
- 4.Apply during the on-time window only if choosing another eligible school or magnet.