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Barret Traditional Middle School

One of three JCPS Traditional middle magnets, on the Hill at Grinstead

Traditional magnet · boundary-based eligibility · Home of the Hilltoppers · National Blue Ribbon School, 2019

  • Grades: 6th–8th
  • How to get in: Traditional boundary
  • School day: 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m.

Barret is one of three JCPS Traditional middle magnets, with Jefferson County Traditional Middle and Johnson Traditional Middle. Traditional here means structure, high expectations, responsible conduct, and character. Eligibility follows the Traditional boundary for your address, so run School Finder before you apply anywhere. A Traditional seat is not a bus. JCPS Insider is not affiliated with Jefferson County Public Schools.

2561 Grinstead Drive · Cherokee Triangle / Crescent Hill · Kentucky

Official starting points

School Choice:(502) 485-6250schoolchoice@jefferson.kyschools.us

What this school is

Barret is a Traditional middle magnet in a 1931 building at 2561 Grinstead Drive that staff still call the Hill. It is not Noe (arts), not Meyzeek (MST), and not a neighborhood resides middle. Current Choices says Barret serves students who live within certain geographical boundaries, so School Finder decides which Traditional middle serves your address.

The Traditional program dates to 1976. Campus language is a student-centered rigorous curriculum inside a structured environment — core subjects, responsible conduct, character. The early 7:30 a.m. start is part of the deal. Blue Ribbon recognition in 2019 is history, not this year's scores.

Who runs the building

Amy Strite

Amy Strite is listed as principal. Assistant principals listed are Christopher Rairick and Raechel Minor. Counselors listed are Amanda McFadden, Colleen Davis, and Tiffany Ward, with Danny Edelen as dean of students. Confirm names on the school site before you write a letter.

School details

Address
2561 Grinstead Drive, Louisville, KY 40206
  • School day: 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m.
  • Title I: No
  • Board district: Corrie Shull · District 2
  • Mascot: Hilltoppers

How families get in

Barret is address-based. Use School Finder to see which Traditional middle serves your home address. If your child is already in a JCPS Traditional elementary, JCPS automatically enrolls them in the Traditional middle that serves that address — no application. If they are not in a Traditional elementary, apply in the magnet window for the Traditional middle that serves the address.

  • Run School Finder. Write down which Traditional middle serves this address — Barret, JCTMS, or Johnson.
  • Already in a Traditional elementary? JCPS rolls the student to the Traditional middle serving the address. No application.
  • Not in a Traditional elementary? Apply during the magnet window for the Traditional middle that serves the address.
  • Tour during the academic day. A 7:30 start means an early visit.
  • Watch the response deadline on any offer letter.

Do not assume a bus

  • For 2026–27, Barret is not on the JCPS list of magnet schools that receive transportation for every enrolled student. Limited exceptions may apply (McKinney-Vento, foster care, ECE with specialized transportation in an IEP).
  • Confirm on the current Transportation Verification form. A Traditional seat is not a bus.

Official 2027–28 application window: November 2, 2026 through December 18, 2026.

Who it tends to fit

A good match when

  • You want Traditional structure at 7:30 a.m. on Grinstead and School Finder puts your address in the Barret boundary.
  • You can live with high published scores that still leave many students below distinguished.
  • You can get your child there without a magnet bus.

Think twice when

  • You need an 8:40 day or guaranteed district transportation.
  • You want an arts or STEM theme campus instead of Traditional structure.
  • Your address sits in the JCTMS or Johnson Traditional boundary.

Students

Counts come from the JCPS Oct. 1, 2025 enrollment file: 600 students, with a grade split of 225 sixth, 202 seventh, and 173 eighth, in a building listed at 631 optimal capacity — about 95% full. Title I: No.

Diversity index

68%

Standard racial/ethnic diversity index from the published Oct. 1, 2025 shares. Student numbers are calculated from those shares and the 600-student headcount, so treat them as close approximations.

Reported race and ethnicity counts for Barret Traditional Middle School
GroupStudentsShare
White25843%
Black / African American19232%
Other / two or more races10217%
Hispanic / Latino488%

Gender: Not broken out separately in the source file.

  • Headcount 600 · Oct. 1, 2025
  • Listed capacity 631 · about 95% full
  • Grade split 225 / 202 / 173
  • Title I: No
  • School day 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m.

Academics

Use the Kentucky School Report Card first. These figures match the official 2024–25 accountability table and the school's own banners.

  • Reading: 28% proficient, 36% distinguished — 64% official combined P+D.
  • Math: 34% proficient, 23% distinguished — 56% official combined P+D.
  • Science: 32% proficient, 7% distinguished — 39% official combined P+D. Social studies and writing both print at 51%.
  • Distinguished outruns proficient in reading. U.S. News listed Barret #23 among Kentucky middle schools in the 2025 cycle — label that cycle rather than treating it as a live rank.
  • Ask how a sixth-grader who arrives below the distinguished band actually gets taught.

Awards and recognition

  • National Blue Ribbon School, 2019

    Federal recognition, not a current-year score

  • U.S. News 2025 cycle

    #23 among Kentucky middle schools that year

Location and daily life

2561 Grinstead Drive, 40206 — a 1931 campus between Cherokee Triangle and Crescent Hill. Staff use Hilltoppers and Never Stop Climbing. Tour the car line at 7:10 before you assume the morning works for your household.

The building is near its listed capacity at 600 of 631 seats, so ask about class size in the grade your child would enter.

Recent news, in context

Barret remains one of three Traditional middle magnets alongside JCTMS and Johnson, each with its own boundary.

For 2026–27, Barret is not on the all-enrolled magnet transportation list. Johnson Traditional is. That difference matters when you compare the three.

The 2027–28 application window runs November 2 through December 18, 2026.

Compare before you commit

Questions to ask on a tour

  1. 1.Does School Finder put this address in the Barret Traditional boundary — or JCTMS / Johnson?
  2. 2.What does a Tuesday morning look like — lining up, homework, conduct marks?
  3. 3.What is the current dress code?
  4. 4.How large is the class my child would enter? The building is near capacity.
  5. 5.How do you support a sixth-grader who arrives below the published distinguished band?
  6. 6.Is there a JCPS bus for Barret magnet students this year?
  7. 7.How long is the Grinstead car line at 7:10?
  8. 8.Which Traditional high schools typically follow Barret — and is that automatic?
  9. 9.How do I reach the counselors and the dean of students?
  10. 10.If we decline a seat, what is the deadline?

What to do next

  1. 1.Run your address in School Finder and write down which Traditional middle serves it.
  2. 2.If your child is in a Traditional elementary, confirm the automatic roll-up rather than applying.
  3. 3.If not, apply during the window for the Traditional middle that serves your address.
  4. 4.Complete the Transportation Verification form and ask directly whether a bus exists.
  5. 5.Tour during the academic day, early, and watch the deadline on any offer letter.

Last checked: September 2026. When this page and JCPS disagree, use JCPS. JCPS Insider is not affiliated with Jefferson County Public Schools.