LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The first senior class at W.E.B. DuBois Academy will graduate in spring 2025. The school welcomed Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, D-Ky., who was excited to check out the students’ progress.

What You Need To Know

  • The first senior class at W.E.B. DuBois will graduate Spring 2025

  • W.E.B. Dubois Academy is an A5 school, opened in 2018

  • The academy started with just middle school and now serves students grades six through 12.

  • W.E.B. DuBois Academy will have a new facility for the 2026 and 2027 school year 

W.E.B. Dubois Academy is an A5 school, meaning they are a district-operated alternative education program. It opened in 2018, as a middle school. The Academy now serves students from middle school through high school.

“And we make sure that our students see themselves as great each and every day. They see themselves as leaders, as kings, because that’s who they are,” said Monica Hunter-Kirby, school’s principal.

The principal said she is thrilled that Coleman has a passion for what is happening in our communities and schools.

“Our lieutenant governor cares about what’s happening not just in her office, not just in her space, but she is willing to go outside of her comfort zone to see the real about what’s happening in our community through education,” said Hunter-Kirby.

Coleman said she has visited the school before.

“I wanted to come back and see the progress and how this school has evolved. The young men who were in the first class, you know, first six, seventh grade class, are now the upperclassmen. They are responsible for carrying on this culture and helping to bring the new young students into the fold,” said Lt. Gov. Coleman.

Coleman said her favorite part of the tour was seeing students leading class and taking ownership of their learning.

“Reading the learning target and coming up with synonyms for the words that they were using, and they were doing a call and response, in a very respectful way that really got the class started,” said Coleman.

Both Coleman and Hunter-Kirby said it’s important to highlight all the positive examples happening locally. 

“Despite what’s happening with the Department of Education, we’re standing true on what JCPS stands for. And that’s ensuring that every student has the right to education, every student has the right to progress in their educational journey,” said Hunter-Kirby.

W.E.B. DuBois Academy will have a new home for the 2026 and 2027 school year, with a new $63 million facility off of Poplar Level Road.

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