About

Sayre School, an independent preschool-12 school in downtown Lexington, cultivates curious, creative thinkers. At Sayre, students engage deeply in STEM and STEAM - from Lower School explorers designing 3D insect models in Tinkercad to Middle School teams engineering egg-protecting helmets, and Upper School lab-based science classes (like AP Biology, Chemistry, and Physics). With a 1:1 iPad program in Middle School and laptops in Upper School, Sayre blends technology, art, and design thinking at every grade level, preparing students to innovate, collaborate, and lead across disciplines.

OUR MISSION

Sayre School provides an innovative and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to achieve academic excellence, embrace challenge, and cultivate integrity in order to lead purposeful lives in an ever-changing world.

CORE VALUES

Sayre School values students as individuals and works to foster their understanding of themselves and their roles in the larger community. Our core values of wisdom, integrity, respect, and compassion are woven throughout the school.

• Challenging college-preparatory curriculum unfolds incrementally across grade levels fostering critical thinking skills in a nurturing classroom setting
• Small class size provides unique opportunities for seminar-style class discussions, extensive writing expectations, and individual help from teachers before, during or after school
• 21 Advanced Placement Courses offered in the Upper School
• Public speaking emphasis embedded in all levels of the curriculum
• World Language instruction begins in Preschool
• Technology integration begins with iPad usage in the Lower School and culminates with a 1:1 laptop program in the Upper School.

COLLEGE COUNSELING

• 100% of the 2026 graduates matriculated at four-year colleges/universities
• 72% of students received merit scholarships totaling over $15.8 million
• 57% of students attend out-of-state colleges/universities
• Sayre’s college counseling process (beginning in grade 9) aims to identify colleges/universities where students will grow and thrive

2026 AP RESULTS

• 80% overall pass rate (scores of 3 or higher)
• 85% senior pass rate (scores of 3 or higher)
• 69% of students earned scores of 4 or 5
• 57 AP Scholars, 17% Scholars, 8% Scholars with Honors, 21% Scholars with Distinction
• 100% Spanish pass rate 
• 100% psychology pass rate
• 95% science pass rate
• 92% history pass rate
• 90% English pass rate
• 73% math pass rate

ATHLETICS

• 41% of Upper School students earned Kentucky High School Athletic Association Academic All-State Honors (cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher)
• 70% of Upper and Middle School students participate in school-sponsored athletics
• Sayre graduates have competed collegiately at the Division I, II, and III level
• 40 sports teams offered at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Middle School level
• 50-acre athletic complex and includes four fields for football, soccer and lacrosse, baseball and softball diamonds, 10 tennis courts, cross country course, and an indoor training facility
• Student-athletes have the opportunity to compete at a high level and reap the rich personal rewards that come from being part of a team

FINE ARTS

• Visual and performing arts are integrated into the curriculum at all levels as a core part of the academic experience, not just as electives
• Performance and exhibit opportunities are offered at Lower, Middle, and Upper School levels

CLASS OF 2026

• 61 seniors enrolled in 34 different colleges in 17 different states and Australia
• 72% of seniors received merit scholarships, totaling over $15.8 million in college-sponsored, four-year scholarships
• 85% of the senior class completed one or more AP examinations
• 1 National Merit Finalist
• 9 seniors will participate in intercollegiate athletics
• 46% of seniors scored 28 or above on the ACT; 39% of the class scored 30 or above