Kentucky’s commitment to education over the last 19 years has made it a model for the nation. The catch phrase, “Education Pays,” has been embraced throughout the region. Kentucky has made major strides in teacher pay, student testing, teacher training, and administration. The Fayette County Public School system is no exception. The county continues to set high standards for education, with students consistently scoring above state and national averages on both the SAT and ACT. The
majority of high school graduates in Fayette County later attend college.
The Bluegrass Region remains one of the most well educated areas in the state, with more than 39-percent of Lexington residents holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher (U.S. Census Bureau). This figure ranks Lexington 13th among cities with a population over 250,000 or more.
Fayette County Public Schools are consistently listed among the nation’s best for cities of Lexington’s size. For each year over the last decade, the district has averaged around 30 National Merit Semifinalists. During the 2008-09 school year, the district boasted 38 National Merit and National Achievement Finalists. With 56 schools and more than 36,800 students, the schools are governed by a five-member school board, with each person elected to a four-year term. The district
employs roughly 5,100 people.
Find out more about the Fayette County Public Schools by calling (859) 381-4100 or by visiting www.fcps.net.
Fayette Co. Public Schools Registration
Kentucky requires children between 6 and 16 years old to attend school. Children can enter primary school at age 5 if they turn 5 on or before Oct. 1. A child may sign up for the Early Start preschool program if he turns 4 before Oct. 1 and is income-eligible. Also eligible for preschool are children age 3 or 4 or who will turn 5 after Oct. 1 who have a special need. Any child who becomes 5 years-of-age on or before October 1 is eligible for full-day kindergarten.
To enroll a child, families should go to the school their neighborhood is assigned to and fill out a registration packet. To find out your school, call (859) 381-4315. If you want to enroll your child in a different school, you must complete an out-of-area request. But, it is still recommended that you register at your neighborhood school. Any child who turns 5 on or before Oct. 1 is eligible for full-day kindergarten. To find out more about registration and documentation necessary to register your child
in the Fayette County Public School system, visit www.fcps.net or call (859) 381-4122.
Private and Parochial Schools
For parents seeking other alternatives for their children’s education, Lexington offers many quality private and parochial schools, many of which have found success in sports with state championships and academics with high test scores. Overall, private and parochial school enrollment numbers have seen a strong surge in recent years. Tuition and admission requirements vary, so be sure to contact the individual school for more detailed information.
For Commerce Lexington Inc. Private and Parochial School options, visit our Business Directory for Government & Education.
Higher Education
The Lexington MSA includes numerous universities and colleges, including the flagship of the state college system – the University of Kentucky. The affect of the area’s many institutions of higher learning has been an extremely well educated workforce leading to a diverse economy. Nearly 36-percent of Fayette Countians have earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher, making Lexington among the top (8th) in the nation in that category out of the 75 largest cities. Meanwhile, the MSA boasts 28.7-percent
with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and over 82-percent with a high school education or higher.
For a list of Commerce Lexington Inc. member colleges and universities, visit our on-line Business Directory for Government & Education.