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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get test scores and other information on JCPS schools?
What do you teach at each grade level?
How are students graded?
When are report cards sent out?
Are before- and after-school childcare programs available?
Are preschool and other early childhood programs available?
Which bus will my child ride?
What are school hours?
How do I know if school is cancelled or delayed because of bad weather?
When is spring break? When is winter break?
How much do school meals cost?
How can I help? Are volunteer opportunities available?
What if my child has special-education needs?
Do you have a student code of conduct?
How can I request a teacher's qualifications?

How can I get test scores and other information on JCPS schools?
Go to the Schools section of the JCPS site, select the school in which you're interested, and then choose the report you want. You also might want to look at reports from the Accountability, Research, and Planning Department and find out about JCPS achievements.

What do you teach at each grade level?
Summaries of our instructional programs are available in the Elementary Overview. You'll find detailed information in the Core Content Guide. You also might want more information on our instructional programs and on school choice.

How are students graded?
In the primary program (kindergarten through grade three), teachers usethis system to evaluate student progress:

In the Intermediate Program (fourth and fifth grade), teachers use this system:

For more details download a PDF versions of our Elementary progression, promotion, and grading hand books.

When are report cards sent out?
Elementary schools send out reports at six-week intervals. Students get three interim reports and three regular report cards. Kentucky Early Learning Profile reports are sent home with students who still are working on early learning skills.

See the parent calendar for specific dates that schools distribute report cards. A few schools have received Board of Education approval for an alternate report card/grading system. Contact your child's school to make sure you have all the details on its system.

Are before- and after-school childcare programs available?
The Childcare Enrichment Program, a partnership between the YMCA and JCPS, provides both before- and after-school childcare. Full-time care is available during winter and spring breaks, on snow days, on professional-development days, and during the summer. This is a tuition-based program for children in full-day kindergarten through the eighth grade (ages 5 to 14). For more information, call 485-3834 or your local YMCA branch.

Are preschool and other early childhood programs available?
JCPS serves children four years old and younger through a range of programs: Head Start/Early Head Start, Prekindergarten, the Three-Year-Old Program, Tuition-Based Preschool, Child Care, Early Childhood Special Services, and Family Education/Even Start. For information about the programs, contact the JCPS Early Childhood Office at 485-3919.

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Which bus will my child ride?
JCPS bus routes and schedules are available online through our easy-to-use Bus Finder feature. You just click the name of the school and display the routes. Or you can search by school and street name. Route information also is available at schools and Central Office locations.

JCPS maintains a fleet of about 860 school buses. They offer transportation for most students living more than one mile from an assigned school. Specially equipped buses are available for special-needs students.

Some students use the JCPS depot system. A depot is a location for transferring students from one bus to another. On some bus routes, you will notice the word "depot," which means the bus will go to a depot, and the students will get on other buses that take them to their assigned schools. To find the number of your student's bus from the depot to the school, go to our online Bus Finder feature and click Depot Information.

To contact the JCPS Transportation Department, call 485-3470, or click here for more bus, compound, and depot information.

What are school hours?
For most schools, hours are 9:05 a.m. to 3:40 p.m. for elementary students.

How do I know if school is cancelled or delayed because of bad weather?
If JCPS officials decide to cancel school because of inclement weather, they send the information to local television and radio stations and to www.cancellations.com as early in the morning as possible. If schools are closed for the entire day, scheduled activities, including athletic events, will be canceled, but some athletic and academic tournaments still may be held.

If schools open on a delayed schedule, local television and radio stations will announce the opening time for that day. All bus pickup times will be delayed accordingly. For example, if elementary schools open on a one-hour delay, the normal bus pickup time for students will be delayed by one hour.

Local TV and radio stations also will make an announcement if schools are dismissed early. All after-school activities, classes, and programs will be cancelled for that afternoon and evening. If your child is a high school student, please contact the school to see if evening competitions will be held.

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When is spring break? When is winter break?
See the school calendar. It is set each year by the Jefferson County Board of Education. Students attend school 177 days from mid-August through May. If schools are closed because of bad weather, the board extends the school year.

How much do school meals cost?

See the elementary school lunch menu.

Visit the JCPS Nutrition Services Department home page.

How can I help? Are volunteer opportunities available?
We can match your talents and skills with the needs of schools, programs, and projects throughout the community. Volunteer opportunities are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings. For more information, call the Volunteer Talent Center at 485-3710.

Of course, you also can volunteer to help at your child's school. And you might be interested in joining the PTA and running for election to a School-Based Decision Making Council.

What if my child has special-education needs?
Exceptional Child Education (ECE) services are available to students with disabilities. The scope of services ranges from consultation to placement in a special school setting. Whenever possible, ECE services are provided in the least restrictive environment with non-disabled students. Most schools in the District provide ECE programs, but not every program is available at every school. For more information, visit the ECE home page. If your child is new to JCPS and already has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) from a prior school, contact ECE Placement at (502) 485-3215.

Do you have a student code of conduct?
Yes. The Code of Acceptable Behavior and Discipline and the Student Bill of Rights is a document that provides clear rules. Each student receives a copy of the document at the beginning of the school year. You can download a PDF version.

JCPS has a Zero Tolerance Policy regarding violence and student use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products on school grounds or at school activities. In addition, harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.

How can I request a teacher's qualifications?
Under the provision of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, parents of a student attending a Title 1 school may request information about the professional qualifications of the student's classroom teachers. Contact your child's school for more information.

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