Carter Traditional Elementary
A boundary-based Traditional elementary magnet
Traditional magnet · Grades K–5 · West Louisville
- Grades: K–5
- How to get in: Address-eligible lottery
- School day: 8:40 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Carter is a boundary-based Traditional magnet, not a resides school or districtwide magnet. Eligibility follows the home address, and families apply during the JCPS window.
3600 Bohne Avenue · West Louisville · Louisville, Kentucky
Official starting points
- Official Carter 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
Carter is one of five boundary-based Traditional elementary magnets. It emphasizes structured classrooms, uniforms, responsible conduct, and a Traditional middle-school pathway.
The school lists athletics, band, orchestra, dance and step, Men of Quality, Girls on the Run, Art Club, extended-school services, and family engagement nights.
Who runs the building
Principal Dr. Whitney Hodge
Assistant Principals Kerri Gray and Farin Jones, counselor Kim Finnell, and Family Resource Center coordinator Stephanie Link were listed when this guide was checked.
School details
- Address
- 3600 Bohne Avenue, Louisville, KY 40211
- Phone
- (502) 485-8225
- Official JCPS site
- jefferson.kyschools.us/o/carter(opens in a new tab)
- Title I school
- Cubs · Best in the West
- Traditional elementary magnet
- Listed capacity: 616
How families get in
Run School Finder first. Carter 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; admission uses a random draw among eligible applicants.
- Sibling history does not create preference. Each child needs an application.
- Traditional elementary students continue to the Traditional middle school serving their address unless the family selects 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. Carter was not included in the limited transportation restorations described in the guide. Families should confirm Transportation Verification before accepting.
Who it tends to fit
A good match when
- Your address is eligible for Carter.
- Your child responds well to uniforms and a highly structured day.
- You want the Traditional middle-school pathway and can manage the Bohne Avenue commute.
Think twice when
- You need guaranteed district transportation from across town.
- You want Montessori, immersion, performing arts, or self-directed learning.
- The uniform and conduct code would create daily conflict.
Students
The 2025–26 data book counted 447 students against a listed capacity of 616, about 73% full. The Choices Guide used a snapshot of 458.
Diversity index
36%
Calculated from the 2025–26 JCPS student counts. It describes student-body mix, not school quality.
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Black / African American | 353 | 79% |
| White | 49 | 11% |
| Two or more races | 24 | 5% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 18 | 4% |
| Other groups | 3 | <1% |
Gender: 235 female · 212 male
- Multilingual learners: 10 (2%)
- ECE / special education: about 15%
- Free or reduced-price lunch: 317 students (71%)
- 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: 26% proficient and 10% distinguished; 36% combined P+D.
- Math: 17% proficient and 3% distinguished; 20% combined P+D.
- Use the live JCPS and Kentucky report-card figures rather than ranking-site composites.
Awards and recognition
Traditional model
Carter follows the district Traditional program with structured academics and conduct expectations.
Uniform campus
The published code covers navy or khaki bottoms, polo colors, tucked shirts, belts in grades 3–5, and footwear.
Family and student activities
The guide lists athletics, arts, extended-school services, and quarterly family engagement nights.
Location and daily life
Carter is on Bohne Avenue in west Louisville. Test the commute during the 8:10–8:38 a.m. car-rider window.
Students are generally car riders or walkers under the current magnet transportation rules.
Recent news, in context
The guide notes that magnet busing ended for most campuses in 2024 and later partial restorations did not include Carter. Confirm the current year directly with JCPS.
Compare before you commit
- Audubon Traditional ElementaryAnother boundary-based Traditional elementary with a different eligibility area.
- Brandeis ElementaryA districtwide STEAM magnet with a different model.
- Your resides elementaryNo magnet lottery and usually the simplest transportation path.
Questions to ask on a tour
- 1.Is my address eligible for Carter?
- 2.Which Traditional middle school would my address feed?
- 3.How is the uniform code enforced?
- 4.Which clubs and arts programs are active this year?
- 5.Is any transportation available for my address?
- 6.What before- or after-school care is available?
What to do next
- 1.Run School Finder and confirm Traditional eligibility.
- 2.Register first if 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 plan transportation before accepting.