July 16, 2025

Kentucky Department of Education Recognizes 11 Spotlight Schools

here-intlog
July 16, 2025
6:06 am
Indianapolis, IN

News Summary

The Kentucky Department of Education has unveiled its 2025 Spotlight Schools, recognizing 11 institutions for their exceptional academic achievements and innovative practices. These schools exemplify leadership and effective teaching strategies while committing to continuous improvement and student success. Each school has created story cards detailing their unique journeys and strategies, intended to serve as resources for other educators. This initiative aims to improve educational outcomes across the state and foster a culture of excellence in learning.

Frankfort, Kentucky – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has recognized 11 schools throughout the state as 2025 Spotlight Schools, an honor bestowed upon institutions for exceptional academic performance, innovative educational practices, and a steadfast focus on student success. This program aims to highlight schools that serve as models for excellence in education.

The 2025 Spotlight Schools are:

Beechwood High School (Beechwood Independent)
Cold Hill Elementary School (Laurel County)
Dawson Springs Jr./Sr. High School (Dawson Springs Independent)
duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
Farmington Elementary School (Graves County)
Farristown Middle School (Madison County)
Graham Brown School (Jefferson County)
McKee Elementary (Jackson County)
Pikeville High School (Pikeville Independent)
South Warren Middle School (Warren County)
B. Muncy Elementary School (Leslie County)

These featured schools have demonstrated exemplary leadership, effective teaching strategies, and a commitment to continuous improvement in education. As part of their recognition, the Spotlight Schools will share successful practices with other educational institutions, helping to raise student achievement levels across Kentucky.

Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education, Robbie Fletcher, emphasized the importance of recognizing outstanding schools within the state, stating that this honor showcases the excellent work taking place in classrooms across Kentucky. To support their recognition, each Spotlight School developed a comprehensive story card that details their unique journeys. These story cards include insights into strategies, initiatives, and the lessons each school has learned during their progression.

The creation of these story cards serves a dual purpose: they act as resources for other educators and school leaders as they look for ideas and methods to enhance school practices. Schools across Kentucky are encouraged to visit the Spotlight Schools webpage, where they can explore these story cards and discover effective strategies for closing achievement gaps and fostering academic success.

Farristown Middle School’s principal, Angie Alexander, expressed appreciation for the accolade, stressing the significance of collaboration and the importance of maintaining a focus on continuous learning for all involved in the educational process. This sentiment mirrors the KDE’s commitment to working closely with the Spotlight Schools to improve educational outcomes statewide.

The KDE’s initiative to designate Spotlight Schools aligns with their overarching goal to elevate education in Kentucky and ensure all students have access to high-quality learning experiences. By identifying successful schools and their methodologies, the KDE hopes to foster an environment where innovative practices thrive, which, in turn, benefits students throughout the Commonwealth.

For further information regarding the Spotlight Schools and access to educational resources, interested parties can visit www.education.ky.gov. This website provides valuable tools and information aimed at enriching the educational landscape in Kentucky.