LOUISVILLE, Ky. — This Saturday, students in Kentucky’s largest school district will get the chance to meet face-to-face with representatives from schools across the district. It’s time for the Jefferson County Public Schools Showcase of Schools. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Showcase of Schools features representatives from all of Jefferson County Public Schools’ 160+ schools

  • The Showcase of Schools takes place at the Kentucky International Convention Center

  • JCPS officials hope 10,000 people attend the event

  • The Showcase of Schools has been around for 20+ years

Sarawit Lindy’s two daughters both go to school at Noe Middle School in Louisville. One is a 7th grader, the other is in 8th grade.

“It is great. We love it here,” Lindy explained.

Abigail is the oldest of the two. She’s 13-years-old. She’ll be a 9th grader next year, a high school freshman. The family is thinking about her next steps. That’s why they will be one of many families at this year’s Jefferson County Public Schools’ Showcase of Schools.

“We’ve got some schools narrowed down. She’ll be able to talk to some school administrators there. Usually, there’s some kids there. See what they have to offer, academically, because that’s what we’re interested in.” Lindy explained. “Then, she’s really into the arts and vocal music, to see what they have to offer, so that we can kind of go home and see which school would meet her needs the best, versus going to each individual and try to do it. It’s all in one place for us. Makes it nice and easy.”

JCPS has hosted the annual event for more than 20 years now. Representatives from all of JCPS’s 160+ schools will be on hand to talk with families at the Kentucky International Convention Center. Families will get info on career programs, magnet schools and a whole lot more.

Noe Middle School Principal Jennifer Cave has been with JCPS for 26 years. She’s been to at least 12 showcases. The way she sees it, the showcase truly matters. “Well, it matters to me because student success is at the heart of everything we do and we want students to be successful and we know there are amazing opportunities at all of our JCPS schools and we want students to choose the option that’s going to be best for them because we want them to learn and grow in that setting,” Cave explained.

For the first time in almost 40 years, JCPS is changing the student assignment plan. The School Choice plan allows parents and students to choose where they want to attend school. The plan also keeps kids closer to their homes. There will be people at the showcase to answer any school choice questions.

“We are asking everyone before you come, if you can go on our website and we have a school-finder there.” Carolyn Callahan, JCPS’ chief of communications, said. “Put in your address and it will show you what your boundaries are because, for some folks, these have changed because of the new school choice plan. If you don’t remember to do that, we’ll have the ability for you to do that when you get to showcase, too. When you put in your address, you’ll see ‘OK, maybe I’m in the Ballard zone now. Maybe I live in the choice zone, so I can see what schools are available for me close to home that weren’t available before.’”

Lindy hopes the event is eye-opening for her daughter.

“I hope she is really focused on one school. So, I think I’m hoping  that if she goes and looks, she realizes that there’s more than just a singular school that can meet her needs in JCPS. So, kind of make sure she opens her eyes to all the possibilities she has available her.” Lindy said.

JCPS is hoping for 10,000 people at Saturday’s showcase this year. The Showcase of schools will be at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Downtown Louisville.

As a reminder, JCPS says the application period for the 2023-24 school year runs November 1 through December 16. 

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