McFerran Preparatory Academy
A Choice Zone Network 2 academy on South Seventh Street with a 9:10 a.m. start
Resides and choice school · Grades K–5 · Choice Zone Network 2
- Grades: K–5
- How to get in: Address assignment or zone choice
- School day: 9:10 a.m.–4:20 p.m.
McFerran Preparatory Academy is a Choice Zone Network 2 school at 1900 South Seventh Street — not a Traditional magnet and not an ordinary neighborhood resides school. Hours 9:10–4:20. Title I Yes. LaKeasha Jones is principal.
1900 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY 40208 · Choice Zone Network 2
Official starting points
- Official McFerran Preparatory 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
McFerran sits at 1900 South Seventh Street in 40208 — west Louisville / McFerran / Choice Zone Network 2. Hours 9:10–4:20. Title I Yes. K–5. LaKeasha Jones is principal. AP: Sara Batliner / Trista Rivera. Counselor: Laquita Williams. FRC: Michelle Houston. MHP: Alexandra Rogers / Danielle Ruffin.
McFerran is a Network 2 choice school listed with Cochran, Perry, and Whitney Young at Engelhard. Families apply; it is not assigned as an ordinary resides school. Confirm in School Finder.
Who runs the building
Principal LaKeasha Jones
AP Sara Batliner / Trista Rivera, Counselor Laquita Williams, FRC Michelle Houston, and mental-health practitioners Alexandra Rogers / Danielle Ruffin were listed on the current directory when checked. Confirm names on the day you tour — staff pages move.
School details
- Address
- 1900 South Seventh Street, Louisville, KY 40208
- Phone
- (502) 485-8297
- Official JCPS site
- jefferson.kyschools.us/o/mcferran(opens in a new tab)
- Title I: Yes
- Choice Zone Network 2
- Listed capacity: 1,071
- 9:10 a.m. start
How families get in
McFerran is the Choice Zone Network 2 resides elementary for some addresses. If School Finder assigns this address here, you register. It is not a Traditional magnet and not a MicroSociety magnet.
- Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- Returning students who have not moved do not need to reapply to stay.
- Use School Finder to confirm the resides school, zone, and later school path.
- Complete Transportation Verification and confirm the current stop.
2027–28 application window
- November 2–December 18, 2026
- Confirm dates with JCPS before applying
Resides students use the regular elementary transportation system. Eligibility can change; confirm the route and the household plan for the 9:10 a.m. bell.
Who it tends to fit
A good match when
- McFerran is the resides or chosen school and you will use the FRC and school support services as part of the plan.
- The 9:10 a.m. start works for your household.
- You want a structured uniform academy with badges, ESL supports, and the published activity list on a 9:10 campus.
Think twice when
- You need a 7:30 a.m. campus instead of the 9:10 a.m. start here.
- You want a school without a required uniform.
- You are choosing mostly on test-score rankings — current McFerran bands are well below JCPS elementary averages (13% reading P+D and 7% math P+D).
Students
The official 2025–26 JCPS count is 457 students against listed capacity 1,071 — about 43% full. The Choices Guide used 577. Counts change during the year.
Diversity index
32%
Calculated from the official 2025–26 count (457). McFerran is majority-Black (81%), not a one-group campus. The index is a snapshot of mix, not a grade.
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Black / African American | 372 | 81% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 44 | 10% |
| Other | 22 | 5% |
| White | 19 | 4% |
Gender: Confirm with school (current office count)
- Economically disadvantaged: 92.3%
- Multilingual learners: 96 students (about 21%)
- Title I: Yes
Academics
Use the current Kentucky School Report Card first and confirm the testing year before comparing schools. The live JCPS McFerran homepage banner posts these bands.
- Reading: 12% proficient and 1% distinguished; 13% displayed combined P+D.
- Math: 6% proficient and 1% distinguished; 7% displayed combined P+D.
- Both bands sit well below JCPS elementary averages (about 37% reading / 31% math) in the guide review.
Awards and recognition
Structured, orderly setting
Choice Zone school focused on students with varying abilities in a structured, orderly setting, preparing them academically and emotionally for middle school.
Achievement badges and dress code
Award badges for academic achievement, leadership, and behavior. Dress code requires uniforms, with a tie as optional. ESL classes.
Published activity list
Basketball, cheerleading, dance, soccer, Piano Club, and drama, among activities listed by JCPS and the school site.
McFerran Early Childhood
A separate JCPS center. Confirm preschool placement with JCPS Early Childhood — it is not automatic with a K–5 assignment.
Location and daily life
The campus is on South Seventh Street in west Louisville / McFerran, 40208. Test the commute during the actual 9:10 a.m. arrival window.
Enrollment was well under listed building capacity (about 43%) in the source snapshot. Ask which grades currently have space.
Recent news, in context
McFerran sits in Choice Zone Network 2 with Cochran, Perry, and Whitney Young at Engelhard.
Current directory: LaKeasha Jones, principal; Sara Batliner / Trista Rivera, AP; Laquita Williams, counselor; Michelle Houston, FRC; Alexandra Rogers / Danielle Ruffin, MHP.
Compare before you commit
- Cochran / Perry / Whitney Young at EngelhardCurrent Network 2 choice schools. Do not import those profiles.
- Carter Traditional ElementaryA separate address-eligible Traditional magnet path with uniforms and no assumed magnet bus.
Questions to ask on a tour
- 1.Is McFerran my resides school, or a Choice Zone Network 2 option I have to rank?
- 2.What does a third-grade reading block look like, in minutes, not slogans?
- 3.What do social-emotional supports and the published activity list look like in a third-grade day?
- 4.What before- and after-care exists on this 9:10–4:20 campus?
- 5.How long is the South Seventh Street car line before 9:10?
- 6.Even though the building is well under listed capacity (457 of 1,071), which grades currently have space?
- 7.If we want a specific high school later, what middle does this address actually feed?
- 8.If McFerran is full, what is the next Choice Zone Network 2 campus?
What to do next
- 1.Run School Finder. Write down resides elementary, zone, middle, and high.
- 2.Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- 3.If McFerran is resides and you have not moved, you do not need to apply to stay — still complete transportation verification.
- 4.Tour at late-bell reality. Watch arrival, not only the school displays.
- 5.If you want a magnet or other school option, apply November 2–December 18, 2026 for 2027–28.
- 6.Ask how families use the FRC with Michelle Houston if barriers are part of the plan.