LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nestled in Louisville’s Chickasaw neighborhood sits the West End School, a school that is on a mission to help young boys be their best selves. 

What You Need To Know

  • West End Schools offers free-tuition private school to young boys from low-income families

  • The school is adding a new building to serve female students as well

  • Girls could attend as soon as 2024

  • The expansion is a $10 million project

Markario Hamiliton is a 5th grader at West End School. He has been attending since Pre-k and has learned how to play the violin and skipped the 4th grade at the school. “I like I think it’s a good school environment. It helps you engage with other people,” said Hamilton. 

For almost 2 decades, West End School has served low-income pre-k to 8th-grade boys with a tuition-free private school. Over 99% of the school’s alumni graduate high school. Over 70% receive scholarships to attend private high schools. 

Don Hall is on the board of trustees, and is excited that the school will soon double its student population of 140 and welcome a new demographic. “Beginning in the fall of 2024 the West End School for the first time, we’ll open our doors to serve girls students. How wonderful is that?” said Hall. 

The West End School’s goal is to enable students, regardless of their circumstances, to achieve their highest potential. 

Former University of Louisville and Utah Jazz basketball star Darrell Griffith attended Carter Elementary, which was once housed in West End School’s building. Before that school was there, it was Virginia Avenue Colored School. A gymnasium named after Griffith is located on West End School’s campus. 

Griffith still remembers the names and influence of all his teachers there. “I grew up in the west end, three blocks down. I used to walk here every day,” said Griffith. “I still remember who believed in me, who helped me and who taught me and who inspired me. These people had an impact on my life and I remember them as I should.”

Decades later, teachers, staff and supporters of the West End School are still making that impact. 

“The teachers they helped me. They really engage with you like the counselors. If you’re feeling down about yourself, they’ll come back and help you get up so you can go to class and do your best,” said Hamilton. 

Hamilton is excited that soon young girls, and his little sister will be able to experience those same benefits. “I think she’ll still get the same feeling as me when I first moved here. I think it’ll be a good environment for her too,” said Hamilton. 

It will cost $10 million to construct the new school building. The school board and community partners have already raised $6 million and hope to raise the rest by the end of the year. 

The Brown-Forman Foundation pledged a $20 million investment over the next ten years to help fund the West End School boys and girls’ operation. 

Related Stories