about us

About Us

McFerran Preparatory Academy was named for John B. McFerran, a civic leader and local meatpacker with a strong interest in public education in both urban and rural settings. The original site of McFerran Elementary was 1515 Cypress Street. The school opened in 1915 and received an addition in 1955. The school moved to the remodeled building of Detrick Vocational School in 1996 and became McFerran Preparatory Academy. The campus retained the Detrick name. The Cypress Street site was sold in 1996. The old school, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, became the H. Temple Spears assisted living residence.

McFerran Preparatory Academy is a choice school focused on serving the needs of students with varying abilities. The academy offers a learning environment that emphasizes a structured and orderly setting. McFerran Preparatory Academy stresses the following:

Academic achievement in the basic skills areas
A sense of pride and self-worth
Appropriate behavior
Parent/Guardian involvement
Award badges for academic achievement, leadership, and behavior
A dress code that requires uniforms, including vests and ties
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
Basketball and cheerleading as well as Academic Team and math, science, and computer clubs

School Report Card
School Plan

School Address: 1900 South 7th Street, Louisville, KY 40208
Phone/Fax: (502) 485-8297
School Hours: 9 a.m.–3:45 p.m.
Office Hours: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Monday–Friday)
School Colors: Red, White, and Navy
School Mascot: Falcon

Uniform Policy

All students attending McFerran Preparatory Academy (kindergarten through fifth grade) are required to wear the academy uniform. Students may wear the spring uniform the first few weeks of school. Students will be notified when to begin wearing the complete uniform. A notice will be sent home providing parent(s)/guardian(s) with the date of when spring uniforms may be worn again.

Spring Uniform

Navy blue shorts or pants with belt
White shirt with collar (long or short sleeves)
Plaid skirt/jumper or navy blue skirt/jumper with white blouse

Complete Uniform

Girls and Boys

Navy blue shorts/pants with belt
White shirt with collar (long or short sleeves)
Navy blue sweater vest or navy blue button-down sweater
Red tie (purchased from Shaheens or online)
Navy or plaid skirt/jumper may be worn with a white collared blouse and red tie

Shoes

Athletic shoes or any other closed-toe/closed-heel shoe with any color socks
No open-toed shoes (e.g., sandals, flip-flops, or high heels)

Friday Uniform

McFerran t-shirts or sweatshirts may be worn with denim blue jeans (different colored jeans, sweatpants, leggings, etc., are not permitted) every Friday or on the last day of the school week.

McFerran Preparatory Academy Oath

I pledge to challenge myself at every opportunity.
I pledge to enhance my education through dedication and motivation.
I pledge to embrace honesty and to demonstrate respect for all human beings.
I pledge to uphold the Academy by striving toward my highest achievement at all times.

McFerran Preparatory Academy Rap Song

Once upon a time in a schoolhouse rhyme
Was an academy—yes! We said academy—yes!
And in that academy were model students.
We said students—model students!
They said their oath. They sang their song.
They knew the difference from right and wrong.
That means me. That means you.
Me and you in all we do!
And they promised to strive to do their best.
They wanted to prove it to all the rest.
They pledged to try through dedication
to always improve their education.
They showed respect for one and all
In the classroom and in the hall of McFerran.
We said McFerran.
McFerran Preparatory Academy—yes!