Target Area Schools
The initial program of the Signature Partnership focuses on five schools in West Louisville:
- Atkinson and Portland Elementary
- Western Middle
- Central and Shawnee High School
UofL faculty, staff, and students team up with other community partners to work with teachers and parents of students in these schools. The goal is to help students perform to the best of their abilities and to reduce or eliminate barriers to learning.
In partnership with the Metro Louisville Center for Health Equity, UofL health professionals and students also work to promote healthy lifestyles and choices to students in the five schools.
J.B. Atkinson Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning--a University of Louisville Partnership Magnet Program
2800 Alford Avenue
Louisville, KY 40212
Serves students in Kindergarten thru 5th grade; students are exposed to art, music, technology, physical education, and humanities curricula.
Partnership programs include:
- Practicum Education Students - provides students with on-going opportunities to learn and apply theoretical knowledge and practice through the use of social work methods.
- Pre-Service Students - UofL pre-service learning students are required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per semester in a school and can assist the class teacher with teaching, and working one-on-one with students who need additional help.
- Success for Life Ballroom - Teaches 5th grade students proper dance etiquette. The students also learn goal-setting, teamwork, sportsmanship, manners, etiquette, confidence & self-esteem.
- Mobile Health Van - The mobile unit was designed to provide health related services to all people in the community especially under-served residents. Targeted services provided include on-site immunizations and dental exams.
For more information about the school, contact:
Dr. Dewey Hensley, Principal
You can also visit their website.
Portland Elementary
3410 Northwestern Parkway
Louisville, KY 40212
The oldest elementary school in Jefferson County and serves students in Kindergarten thru 5th grade; provides academic opportunities that involve high expectations, in-depth thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Partnership programs include:
- Pre-Service Students - UofL pre-service learning students are required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per semester in a school and can assist the class teacher with teaching, and working one-on-one with students who need additional help.
- Mobile Health Van - The mobile unit was designed to provide health related services to all people in the community especially under-served residents. Targeted services provided include on-site immunizations and dental exams.
For more information about the school, contact:
Angela Hosch, Principal
You can also visit their website.
Western Middle School
2201 West Main Street
Louisville, KY 40212
Serves students in 6th thru 8th grade; offers wide variety of programs designed to substantially improve students' academic achievement by strengthening analytical thinking and problem solving skills.
Partnership programs include:
- College for Every Student (The Century Program (TCP) Scholars) - In collaboration with the Foundation for Excellent Schools (FES), a non-profit organization based in Vermont that helps underserved students take step to prepare for, access, and succeed in college. Five focus areas include: Mentoring; Goal-setting; Pathways to College; Leadership through Service; and Family as Partners.
- Pre-Service Students - UofL pre-service learning students are required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per semester in a school and can assist the class teacher with teaching, and working one-on-one with students who need additional help.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens - Program designed to develop positive life skills. The 7 Habits are Be proactive; Begin with an end in mind; Put first things first; Think win/win; Seek first to understand, then be understood; Synergize; and Sharpen the saw.
- Mobile Health Unit - The mobile unit was designed to provide health related services to all people in the community especially under-served residents. Targeted services provided include on-site immunizations and dental exams.
For more information about the school, contact:
Beth Johnson, Principal
You can also visit their website.
Central High School
1130 West Chestnut Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Serves students in the 9th thru 12th grade and offers a precollege curriculum in four distinct areas: Business, Law and Government, Computer Technology, and Medicine.
Partnership programs include:
- ACT Preparation Program - Purpose is to provide students with an intensive review in Math and English focused on skills tested by the ACT College entrance exam and to improve students' ACT scores to a level that will qualify them for competitive colleges and make them eligible for scholarships.
- Preparing Leaders for the Education, Social, and Economic Progress of the Region - Goal is for students participating in the program to develop the interest and skills to attend college and ultimately professional school; ideally, these individuals would eventually be leaders in the Metro Louisville community and their professional fields.
- Pre-Service Students - UofL pre-service learning students are required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per semester in a school and can assist the class teacher with teaching, and working one-on-one with students who need additional help.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens - Program designed to develop positive life skills. The 7 habits are: Be proactive; Begin with an end in mind; Put first things first; Think win/win; Seek first to understand, then be understood; Synergize; and Sharpen the saw.
- Mobile Health Van - The mobile unit was designed to provide health related services to all people in the community especially under-served residents. Targeted services provided include on-site immunizations and dental exams.
For more information about the school, contact:
Dr. Dan Withers, Principal
You can also visit their website.
Shawnee High School
4018 West Market Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Serves students in the 9th thru 12th grade and offers students four magnet programs: Aviation Flight, Aviation Maintenance, Travel and Tourism, or Marine Technology.
Partnership programs include:
- Pre-Service students - UofL pre-service learning students are required to spend a minimum of 15 hours per semester in a school and can assist the class teacher with teaching, and working one-on-one with students who need additional help.
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens - Program designed to develop positive life skills. The 7 habits are: Be proactive; Begin with an end in mind; Put first things first; Think win/win; Seek first to understand, then be understood; Synergize; and Sharpen the saw.
- Mobile Health Van - The mobile unit was designed to provide health related services to all people in the community especially under-served residents. Targeted services provided include on-site immunizations and dental exams.
For more information about the school, contact:
Dr. Keith Look, Principal
You can also visit their website.

