About Noe MS

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a Noe-ticiable Difference in Education!

Diversity, creativity, and academic excellence—these are the hallmarks of Noe Middle School. By providing challenging courses and recognizing the individual talents of each child, Noe prepares students for the demands of high school while honoring their youthful enthusiasm and desire to make a difference in the world. With approximately 1,200 students, Noe is one of the largest and most diverse middle schools in Jefferson County.

Noe offers the district’s only Gifted and Talented Magnet Program at the middle school level, the Advance Program, the ESL Program, and the Exceptional Child Education (ECE) Program. Noe puts special emphasis on the arts by providing a Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Program.

Noe is conveniently located near DuPont Manual High School and the University of Louisville, in historic Old Louisville. Opened in 1974 as the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District’s first middle school, Noe uses an award-winning design to encourage active learning and collaboration among students and staff.

Noe-tice Our Uniqueness!

Noe Middle School has been educating middle school students for 50 years. Created as a unique, state-of-the-art teaching facility, Noe has maintained a reputation for being dedicated to achieving the optimum in educational standards. The school was named for Samuel V. Noe, a past superintendent of the Louisville City Schools. The initial purpose of Noe’s conception is perhaps best described in an excerpt from the school’s 1974 Program of Dedication: “In keeping with the goals and aspirations of the complex, Noe Middle is attempting to achieve the ultimate in teaching and learning through the development and perpetuation of highly innovative instructional programming.” In the 1980s, Noe’s unique curriculum was enhanced by the school’s designation as a Learning Choice School. This initiative provided the school with the opportunity to develop its outstanding Visual and Performing Arts Program, which has earned it national recognition. The enactment of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in 1990 challenged Kentucky schools with new academic standards—a challenge that Noe vigorously embraced. Noe also earned the prestigious honor of being named a Kentucky Blue Ribbon School, a National Magnet School of Merit, and a Kentucky School to Watch. New challenges await us. With the statewide goal of proficiency for all students by utilizing Common Core Standards, Noe continues to make steady progress by consistently making gains in the State Testing System and by implementing new and creative ways to close the achievement gap. 

One of Noe’s unique features is the diversity of its student population. With 42 percent of the student population living within Noe’s resides area and coming from designated programs and 58 percent coming from enrollment in magnet programs, virtually every ZIP Code in Jefferson County is represented. Noe further enhances the diversity of its student body by housing a middle school ESL Program, representing 18 nationalities 

Noe-tice Our Commitment to Academics!

Noe offers a challenging curriculum—Advance, Gifted and Talented, and Comprehensive Programs—for all students. As part of the middle school philosophy, students are assigned to academic teams in which they receive instruction in the areas of mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies. Technology is integrated into all curriculum areas. Academic teams consist of 3 to 4 teachers and 90 to 120 students. ECE and ESL units also are included on some teams. Teams schedule their own students in academic classes, a practice that allows for greater flexibility in addressing students’ individual needs. 

Classes offered through the Visual and Performing Arts Program include band, chorus, dance, drama, orchestra, and visual arts. Students choose a course of study that requires a willingness and commitment to explore advanced techniques in any of the visual and performing arts classes. Other related arts courses include physical education (PE), graphic arts, and Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP).

All academic teams offer a variety of enrichment classes that are embedded in the weekly class schedule. Selection is based on student interest, and classes generally last 12 weeks. 

Noe-tice Our Magnet Programs!