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Enrollment
Children who are 4 years old before October 1 of the year they are entering school are eligible for the preschool program, as are children ages 3 through 5 with special needs who would benefit from an early intervention program. School attendance is compulsory in Kentucky for students ages 6 through 16. Children must be 5 years old on or before October 1 of the year they enroll to be eligible for the Primary Program. Any child who becomes 6 years old on or before October 1 must enroll for that school year.
Immunizations and Medical Exams
All children entering school are required by Kentucky state law to present a valid immunization certificate upon registration. Students must be immunized against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, rubella (German measles), and rubeola (red measles).
All students entering the 6th grade are required to have a second measles/mumps/rubella vaccination before the beginning of school. Additionally, each child enrolling for the first time must be tested for tuberculosis within one year before registration. All first-time enrollees (including transfer students) must have a medical examination within six months prior to or one month following admission. Students entering the 6th grade must have another examination before the start of school.
Fayette County
Fayette County Public Schools
701 E. Main St. • 281-0100
About 32,500 students were enrolled in the Fayette County Public Schools for the 1997-98 school year. The school system, formed by the merger of the county and city districts in 1967, includes 34 elementary schools (including the two newest, Rosa Parks Elementary and Veterans Park Elementary, which opened in the fall of 1997), 11 middle schools for grades 6 through 8, 5 high schools, 17 magnet schools or programs and 3 alternative schools.
About 2,200 teachers and 1,400 other personnel were employed in the system during the 1997-98 school year. Nearly 1,600 of the teachers had earned their master's degrees, and about one-third that many had their Rank I, which is 30 graduate hours beyond the master's degree. Sixteen had earned their doctorates.
All schools in the system feature a wide range of academic offerings, with a variety of extracurricular activities including athletics. Fayette schools have long been noted for their academic and athletic excellence. To graduate from high school in Fayette County Public Schools, students must complete a minimum of 20 units in grades 9 through 12. Twelve units must be completed in required subjects including language arts, mathematics, biological and physical sciences, social studies, health and physical education; while eight units must be completed in elective subjects.
A systemwide partnership program pairs more than 56 businesses with Fayette schools, allowing business representatives to share their knowledge with students.
The Fayette County Public Schools system is governed by a five-member board of education. School board members are elected to four-year terms. The school year ordinarily runs from the end of August to the end of May.
Grading Period
The Fayette County public elementary school year is divided into four nine-week grading periods, with reports sent home at the end of each period. Middle school students get interim reports every 4½ weeks and regular report cards every nine weeks. High school students get a report card at the end of each of two semesters; interim reports are sent on either a six- or a nine-week basis, depending on the school.
A Continuous Progress Report is sent home when the academic performance of a student falls by one letter grade or more or begins at an unacceptable level (D or F).
Special Schools and Programs
In addition to regular programs, Fayette County has 20 magnet schools and programs that focus on students with special abilities and interests: visual and creative arts, foreign language, math and other subjects. Most students who get accepted in the programs perform well. However, some parents, staff and school board members question whether magnet programs are serving students equitably.
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