Districtwide Magnet, GT, & Specialized Programs

Breckinridge Elementary (Innovative Leadership and Civic Engagement) (K-5) -- mentorship and community opportunities, self-discovery, and confidence-building experiences

Dixie Magnet Elementary (K-5) -- personalized learning through student-centered instruction

George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys (K-5) -- STEM-infused instruction engaging students through hands-on learning

Gifted & Talented Accelerated Program (grades 4-5) -- accelerated content and pacing for advanced intellectual ability, language arts, and math featuring project-based learning and GT-endorsed teachers based at Ashland, Meadowthorpe, and Tates Creek

Harrison Elementary (Visual, Performing, and Digital Arts) (K-5) -- rooted in an "Arts for All" philosophy, ensuring every student has access to a rich and inclusive arts education

Maxwell Spanish Immersion Elementary (K-5) -- biliterate instruction in Spanish to develop skills for global citizenship through language proficiency and cultural knowledge

Rise STEM Academy for Girls (K-6) -- collaborative school community empowering students through authentic STEM and leadership experiences

SCAPA at Bluegrass (grades 4-8) -- citywide program with a focus on art, ballet, band, dance, theater, literary arts, piano, strings, and voice

Carter G. Woodson Academy (grades 6-12) -- rigorous college-prep curriculum for boys through the lens of African-American history and culture

Crawford Middle School's Leadership Academy for Literacies and Civic Engagement (grades 6-8) -- developing thoughtful citizens who take ownership of their learning and emerge as compassionate, adaptable leaders

Dual Language Immersion at Bryan Station Middle School (grades 6-8) -- continuation of Maxwell's Spanish immersion program, focusing on growth of language skills and instruction in Spanish

Gifted & Talented Accelerated Program (grades 6-8) -- accelerated content and pacing for advanced intellectual ability, language arts, and math featuring project-based learning and GT-endorsed teachers based at Tates Creek and Winburn 

Lexington Middle School, a Visual & Performing Arts hub (grades 6-8) -- rigorous core-content academics enriched through dance, drama, visual art, instrumental and vocal music, and media arts -- allowing students to connect creativity with critical thinking

Pre-Engineering at Leestown Middle School (grades 6-8) -- cross-curricular, technology-based instruction featuring STEM, digital design coding, and project-based learning

Rise STEM Academy for Girls (K-6) -- collaborative school community empowering students through authentic STEM and leadership experiences

SCAPA at Bluegrass (grades 4-8) -- citywide program with a focus on art, ballet, band, dance, theater, literary arts, piano, strings, and voice

Virtual Learning Academy (grades 6-12) -- an in-home environment with online instruction supported by a guided-pacing curriculum. Note: Applications are accepted year-round; call (859) 422-0051.

Academy of Information Technology at Bryan Station High School (grades 9-12) -- IT-focused curriculum in programming, video, cinematography, and graphic design, with work-based learning, job shadowing, trips, and other enrichment

Air Force Junior ROTC at Bryan Station High School (grades 9-12) -- elective courses empowering students to become better citizens and leaders through the values of confidence, self-reliance, and self-discipline

Army Junior ROTC at Henry Clay High School (grades 9-12) -- elective courses teaching the values of citizenship, leadership, community service, and personal responsibility

Biomedical Sciences Magnet Program at Frederick Douglass High School (grades 9-12) -- challenging program with focus on medicine, nursing, biology, and biochemistry courses through a nationally accepted curriculum

Carter G. Woodson Academy (grades 6-12) -- rigorous college-prep curriculum for boys through the lens of African-American history and culture

Dual Language Immersion at Bryan Station High School (grades 9-12) -- continuation from the middle school, featuring multiple AP courses offered in Spanish as well as Spanish classes in biology, chemistry, Spanish IV and V, Freshman Seminar, and dual-credit Spanish

International Baccalaureate Programme at Tates Creek High School (grades 9-12) -- college-prep courses taught to international standards; opportunity to earn college credit and work toward an IB Diploma; can combine with career-related pathways

Liberal Arts Academy at Henry Clay High School (grades 9-12) -- a gifted and talented program featuring required academy and AP courses in core areas, plus world languages aimed at preparing students for any academic area in college

Math, Science, & Technology Center at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School (grades 9-12) -- highly challenging program for gifted and talented students, featuring STEM classes, fast-paced courses, and an extended-day class

Opportunity Middle College (grades 11-12) -- chance to earn college credit toward an associate's degree or technical program certificate/diploma while completing high school; housed at Bluegrass Community & Technical College (Newtown Pike campus). Note: We use a different application process; call (859) 422-0046.

Pre-Engineering Program at Lafayette High School (grades 9-12) -- preparation for mathematically rigorous and technical fields like engineering, medicine, computer programming, and hard sciences, emphasizing higher-order thinking skills while using technology

SCAPA at Lafayette High School (grades 9-12) -- a gifted and talented program offering advanced and college-prep courses in 10 arts areas alongside a solid academic foundation

StationARTS at Bryan Station High School (grades 9-12) -- small learning community featuring immersion in artistic experiences with majors in Band, Orchestra, Vocal Music, Classical Guitar, Visual Arts, Theatre Performance, Technical Theatre, Dance, and Piano/Keyboard

STEAM Academy (grades 9-12) -- curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) -- enabling students to develop skills to succeed in a rapidly changing world

Teaching & Learning Magnet Program at Frederick Douglass High School (grades 9-12) — hands-on classroom experiences and dual-credit opportunities for tomorrow’s educators

Virtual Learning Academy (grades 6-12) -- an in-home environment with online learning supported by a guided-pacing curriculum. Note: Applications are accepted year-round; call (859) 422-0051.

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Career & Technical Education (CTE)

Locust Trace AgriScience Center (grades 9-12) -- an 82-acre farm with classes in Ag Engineering, Animal Science, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, and Plant Science. Note: We use a different application process; call (859) 422-3990.

The Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership (The HILL, grades 9-12) -- integrates career pathways, emerging technologies, and transferable skills to provide students with project-based learning that mirrors real-world industry practices. Note: We use a different application process; call (859) 422-2112.

Audrey Grevious Center (ages 12+) -- provides a supportive and individualized environment with mental health resources to help students earn their high school diplomas through key partnerships. Note: We use a different admissions process; call (859) 422-0042.

Family Care Center (ages 13+) -- helps pregnant teens and young parents graduate high school by providing classes, social services, and parenting/life skills. On-site child care provided. Note: We use a different admissions process; call (859) 288-4040.

Martin Luther King Jr. Academy (grades 6-12) -- provides a smaller, supportive setting with more resources than regular schools, helping students succeed academically and personally. Note: We use a different admissions process; call (859) 422-0045.

Re-engagement Center at Success Academy (ages 16+) -- nontraditional, personalized, and flexible alternative for students ages 16 to 21 who are at least one year behind in earning high school credits and are not on track to graduate, or who have extraordinary circumstances preventing them from regular school attendance. Note: Applications are accepted year-round; call (859) 422-0051.

The Learning Center (grades 8-12) -- nontraditional school environment with smaller classrooms and a different pace, with accommodations for mental health needs. Note: We use a different application process; call (859) 422-1446.

The Stables (grades 8-12) -- project-based learning and work experiences, with a focus on life skills such as problem solving, communication, team-building, and development of positive relationships. Note: We use a different application process; call (859) 333-5827.