Audubon Traditional Elementary
A boundary-based Traditional elementary magnet
Traditional magnet · Grades K–5 · South Louisville
- Grades: K–5
- How to get in: Address-eligible lottery
- School day: 8:40 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Audubon is a boundary-based Traditional magnet, not a resides school or districtwide elementary magnet. Families apply during the JCPS window, and eligibility depends on the home address.
1051 Hess Lane · South Louisville · Louisville, Kentucky
Official starting points
- Official Audubon Traditional 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
Audubon is one of five boundary-based Traditional elementary magnets. It is a structured school model with a published uniform code, high academic expectations, and a Traditional middle-school pathway.
The school lists art, music, band, orchestra, chorus, computer lab, library, physical education, health, and a science lab. Clubs and sponsors can change, so confirm the current list during a tour.
Who runs the building
Principal Dr. Erika Walker
Assistant Principal Theresa Adkins was still listed when this guide was checked, but JCPS named her principal of Medora in August 2026. Confirm the current assistant principal with the office. Counselor Ashley Fleming and the shared Kid Connection Family Resource Center are also listed.
School details
- Address
- 1051 Hess Lane, Louisville, KY 40217
- Phone
- (502) 485-8205
- Official JCPS site
- jefferson.kyschools.us/o/audubon(opens in a new tab)
- Title I school, new for 2026–27
- Bald Eagles · red and navy
- Traditional Program founded here in 1976
- Listed capacity: 665
How families get in
Run School Finder first. Audubon is available only to addresses inside its Traditional eligibility area, and attending still requires an application and lottery selection.
- Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- Apply during the on-time school-choice window; elementary magnet admission uses a random draw.
- Sibling history does not create preference. Twins and triplets each need an application.
- Current Traditional elementary students continue to the Traditional middle school serving their address unless the family chooses another path.
2027–28 application window
- November 2–December 18, 2026
- Confirm dates on the JCPS Student Assignment page
Do not plan on a magnet bus. Audubon was not included in the limited magnet transportation restorations described in the guide. Complete the Transportation Verification form and confirm directly with JCPS.
Who it tends to fit
A good match when
- Your address is eligible for Audubon.
- Your child responds well to uniforms and a structured school day.
- You want the Traditional middle-school pathway and can manage the Hess Lane commute.
Think twice when
- You need guaranteed district transportation from across town.
- You want Montessori, Spanish immersion, performing arts, or self-directed learning.
- The uniform and conduct expectations would be a daily source of conflict.
Students
JCPS counted 603 students on October 1, 2025; the live homepage later listed 611. The building capacity was listed as 665.
Diversity index
65%
Calculated from the October 1, 2025 JCPS race-and-gender file. It describes student-body mix, not school quality.
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| White | 257 | 43% |
| Black / African American | 241 | 40% |
| Two or more races | 46 | 8% |
| Asian | 27 | 4% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 27 | 4% |
| Other groups | 5 | <1% |
Gender: 305 female · 298 male
- Multilingual learners: 53 (9%)
- ECE / special education: about 10%
- Free or reduced-price lunch: about 49%
- Student-teacher ratio: about 20:1
Academics
The figures below use the school guide's September 2026 review of JCPS and Kentucky reporting. Confirm the testing year before comparing schools.
- Reading: 38% proficient and 21% distinguished; 59% combined P+D.
- Math: 38% proficient and 14% distinguished; 52% combined P+D.
- Ranking sites use different years and formulas. Use the current Kentucky School Report Card for decisions.
Awards and recognition
Traditional identity
The JCPS Traditional Program began at Audubon in 1976–77.
Published uniform code
The school publishes detailed clothing, footwear, and Friday spirit-wear expectations.
Broad student activities
The guide lists arts, athletics, Beta, drama, gardening, student council, and other clubs; confirm active sponsors.
Location and daily life
Audubon is on Hess Lane near Camp Taylor, Audubon Park, and Germantown. Test the commute during the actual morning arrival period.
Before- and after-school care is not automatic; confirm the current provider and space with the school.
Recent news, in context
JCPS still listed Dr. Erika Walker as principal when this guide was checked. The assistant-principal seat may be changing after Theresa Adkins was named principal of Medora.
Compare before you commit
- Carter Traditional ElementaryAnother boundary-based Traditional elementary with its own eligibility area.
- Brandeis ElementaryA districtwide STEAM magnet selected by random draw.
- Your resides elementaryNo magnet lottery and usually the simplest transportation path.
Questions to ask on a tour
- 1.Is my address eligible for Audubon Traditional?
- 2.Which Traditional middle school would my address feed?
- 3.How is the uniform code enforced after the first month?
- 4.Which arts, music, and clubs are staffed this year?
- 5.What transportation is available for my address?
- 6.How long does the Hess Lane arrival line take?
What to do next
- 1.Run School Finder and confirm Traditional eligibility.
- 2.Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- 3.Read the current uniform policy and tour during the school day.
- 4.Apply during the on-time window and verify transportation before accepting.