LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public Schools officials cut the ribbon Friday on the new Wilkerson Elementary School, located in southwest Jefferson County. Students will start class in their brand new, 82,532-square-foot building on Monday, Sept. 12.
“When students walk into a building like this each school day, it’s indisputable that it builds pride in their school, enhances learning, and helps foster relationships with other students and staff,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said. “These are the kinds of buildings we should have all over Jefferson County.”
Highlights of the $17 million building include:
- Two stories of classrooms, art, computer and media rooms plus plenty of open spaces for collaborative learning
- Outdoor spaces that can serve as classrooms
- Classrooms organized in “neighborhoods” of four to promote collaboration between teachers and students
- A gym that doubles as a tornado shelter
- Environmentally friendly–Geothermal heating and cooling along with energy efficient windows, lighting and plumbing
“We can’t wait to welcome students into the new Wilkerson Elementary learning space,” Wilkerson Principal Sara Alvey said. “They are going to love the state-of-the-art Maker Space, the new gymnasium and the bright and colorful classrooms.”
Wilkerson Elementary School is the first school built in southwest Jefferson County in 24 years. Pollio said more new schools are in the works as the district rolls out a 10-year construction and renovation plan.
Originally slated to open with the start of the school year, the new school building failed to pass a Louisville Metro building inspection in early August and the opening was delayed. Instead, students have been temporarily attending Watson Lane Elementary School, which was reopened after closing at the end of the 2021-22 school year.
The new school building was built on JCPS-owned land directly behind the old Wilkerson Elementary School, which was recently torn down.