About Us

Welcome!

Welcome to J. B. Atkinson Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, home of the Eagles! We are delighted to have your child here and want to invite you to become a partner with us as we strive to provide him or her with the best education possible. Together we can make it happen!

We believe that all students can and will be successful. Keeping with the district’s vision, our school focus is on reading/literacy. We firmly believe that reading is the key to all students experiencing success. Our reading program guarantees that each and every student will learn to read. Help us by listening to your child read aloud to you every day. Become involved.

We can’t do it alone. J. B. Atkinson will only be successful if we work together as a team: parents/guardians, grandparents, students, teachers, the administration, and the community. 

Mission
J.B. Atkinson is committed to preparing all students to be college and career ready by educating the whole child while supporting families and the community.

Vision
Atkinson Academy will encircle each child by:

  • Setting high expectations for academic achievement and behavior

  • Forming relationships that are nurtured through clear communication

  • Providing a safe, stable and secure environment

  • Monitoring each child’s growth and using data to adjust daily instruction to meet the needs of all learners

  • Utilizing culturally responsive practices within daily interactions

brown door

History of J. B. Atkinson Elementary School

The school was first established in 1893 at 26th and Duncan Streets in rented rooms. In 1896, the school board purchased land and an existing building, the Almshouse from J. B. Byrne. The school, located at 29th and Duncan Streets, was named Park School because of its attractive, tree-lined streets.

In 1902, J. B. Atkinson School was completed at the cost of $61,000 and was named in honor of Joseph B. Atkinson, a paint manufacturer who served on the school board from 1890 to 1900.

J. B. Atkinson sits in the heart of  west Louisville's Portland neighborhood.  Founded in 1811, Portland is one of  Louisville's oldest and largest neighborhoods.

   About our Administration & Faculty

  In the summer of 2022, Arivia Parks became principal of Atkinson, having previously served as the assistant principal.   She has been a JCPS employee for over 17 years.  Heather Cicchiello Wright became the assistant principal in the summer of 2022.   Her previous experience includes classroom teacher, Reading Recovery teacher and Teacher Leader, and an Educational Recovery Specialist at the Kentucky Department of Education before coming to JBA.  

JBA has many excellent teachers, including many teachers who have spent their whole career teaching at JB Atkinson!  Some of our teachers are National Board Certified and award winners.

Organization and Business Partnerships

  • University of Louisville

  • AmeriCorps

  • Shawnee Christian Healthcare Center

  • Seven Counties

  • United Way Ready 4 K

  • Blessings in a Backpack

  • Dare to Care

  • YMCA Camp Piomingo

  • Neighborhood House

  • Shawnee Boys and Girls Club

  • Portland Promise Center

  • Louisville Free Public Library

  • Project Warm

  • KFC

  • Build-A-Bed

  • I’d Rather Be Reading

  • Pepsi

  • St. Bernadette Catholic Church

  • Highland Presbyterian Church

  • The Kingdom Center

  • Baptist Tabernacle Baptist Church

  • Doctors for Healthy Communities

  • MSD Community Benefits Program

  • Humana Strategic Consultancy

  • Caldwell Tanks

  • Elves with Medals

  • Love City

  • American Legion Post 278

Signature Partnership Initiative

In celebration of its fifth anniversary, this video highlights some of the success stories from the UofL Signature Partnership Initiative with west Louisville.

U of L

University of Louisville Signature Partnership 

The partnership between J. B. Atkinson Academy for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and the University of Louisville (UofL) began as a part of the university’s Signature Partnership Initiative (SPI), the heart of the UofL urban mission focused on Louisville’s West End community. The goals of the SPI focus on improving the educational attainment level, the health and well-being, and the economic viability of the community. Atkinson is one of five schools identified for university-wide support. In addition, the partnership became even stronger when Atkinson was identified as the UofL lab school in the JCPS elementary magnet program.

As a result of the partnership, Atkinson benefits from having UofL education classes on site as well as mentoring numerous teacher candidates every semester. The UofL students work in classrooms to provide additional academic support to Atkinson students. Additionally, because of the partnership, UofL faculty are on site to work in classrooms and collaborate to provide teacher professional development. Besides the College of Education, nursing students and Kent School of Social Work students work in the school to provide Atkinson students with social and physical support. The partnership has proven to be a win-win collaboration. 

Summer Reading Program

This video highlights the grant that is helping children from Atkinson read more during the summer.

Book Donation 

UofL's freshman class recently donated over one thousand children's books. The books were distributed to Atkinson Elementary and the Family Scholar House to foster the love of learning and reading.