St. Matthews Elementary
A Waggener Zone resides elementary with a 7:30 a.m. start
Resides and choice school · Grades K–5 · Waggener Zone
- Grades: K–5
- How to get in: Address assignment or zone choice
- School day: 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m.
St. Matthews Elementary is a Waggener Zone elementary with a 7:30 a.m. start, above listed capacity, and the programs and supports summarized below.
601 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207 · east-central Jefferson County
Official starting points
- Official St. Matthews Elementary 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
St. Matthews Elementary is at 601 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207 in east-central Jefferson County. It serves grades K–5, runs 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m., and is a Waggener Zone school.
The data book associates the campus with the Waggener High cluster; confirm the middle and high school in School Finder.
Who runs the building
Principal Scott Collier
Assistant Principal Kristen Thomas, counselor Heather Beard, Family Resource Coordinator Karen Smith, and mental-health practitioner Beth Wibbles were listed when checked.
School details
- Address
- 601 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207
- Phone
- (502) 485-8321
- Official JCPS site
- jefferson.kyschools.us/o/stmatthews(opens in a new tab)
- Title I: No
- Waggener Zone
- Listed capacity: 523
- 7:30 a.m. start
How families get in
If School Finder assigns St. Matthews Elementary to the address, register rather than submitting a magnet application. Families seeking another eligible option use the School Choices section.
- 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 7:30 a.m. bell.
Who it tends to fit
A good match when
- St. Matthews Elementary is your resides or preferred Waggener Zone school.
- The 7:30 a.m. start works for your household.
- You value the school’s published programs and support services.
Think twice when
- You need a different school-day schedule.
- You want a Traditional or districtwide theme magnet.
- You are choosing only from rankings without checking current grade-level space.
Students
The 2025–26 source count was 592 students against a listed capacity of 523, about 113% full. The Choices Guide used 584. Counts change during the year.
Diversity index
68%
Calculated from the 2025–26 published counts. It describes student-body mix, not school quality.
| Group | Students | Share |
|---|---|---|
| White | 270 | 46% |
| Black / African American | 158 | 27% |
| Hispanic / Latino | 95 | 16% |
| Other reported groups | 69 | 12% |
Gender: 287 female · 305 male
- Economically disadvantaged: about 52%
- Multilingual learners: 131 students (22%)
- Above listed capacity
Academics
Use the current Kentucky School Report Card first and confirm the testing year before comparing schools.
- 31% proficient and 24% distinguished; 55% combined P+D.
- 29% proficient and 19% distinguished; 47% combined P+D.
- Both displayed bands were above JCPS elementary averages in the guide review.
Awards and recognition
STEAM Lab
Students rotate through a biweekly STEAM lab.
Friday electives
Published electives include STEAM, art, PE, and library.
Arts partners
The school lists 5x5 Fund for the Arts partnerships including StageOne, UofL Rep, and Kentucky Shakespeare.
Location and daily life
The campus is in east-central Jefferson County. Test the commute during the actual 7:30 a.m. arrival window.
Enrollment was above listed building capacity in the source snapshot. Ask which grades currently have space.
Recent news, in context
Assistant Principal Kristen Thomas, counselor Heather Beard, Family Resource Coordinator Karen Smith, and mental-health practitioner Beth Wibbles were listed when checked.
Compare before you commit
- Waggener Zone optionsAlex R. Kennedy, Breckinridge-Franklin, Chenoweth, and Field are other Waggener Zone schools.
- Carter Traditional ElementaryA separate address-eligible Traditional magnet path.
Questions to ask on a tour
- 1.Is St. Matthews Elementary my assigned school or an option I need to apply for?
- 2.What does the grade-level reading block look like in minutes and group size?
- 3.What care is available around the 7:30 a.m.–2:10 p.m. schedule?
- 4.How do the listed programs operate in a typical week?
- 5.Which grades currently have space?
- 6.What transportation applies to my exact address?
- 7.What middle and high school does my address feed?
What to do next
- 1.Run School Finder and record the resides school, zone, middle school, and high school.
- 2.Register first if the child is new to JCPS or entering kindergarten.
- 3.Apply during the on-time window only when choosing another eligible option.
- 4.Tour during the 7:30 a.m. arrival and ask about current grade-level space.
- 5.Complete Transportation Verification and confirm the route.