AHS History

The Atherton High School Alumni Association's purpose is to support and promote student development and growth through events that educate and highlight Atherton's rich history of excellence.

J.M. Atherton High School has a rich heritage of academic achievement and cultural appreciation spanning more than 100 years! Notable public school in the Highlands District of Louisville, Kentucky, and is part of the Jefferson County Public School District.

J.M. Atherton High School started as an all-girls school in 1924 opening at 1418 Morton Avenue Louisville, Kentucky.

Named after John McDougal Atherton, a local businessman and politician who was instrumental in changing Louisville's school system administration from trustees to a board of education. The school became co- educational in 1950.

Atherton moved to its current site, 3000 Dundee Road Louisville, Kentucky, in 1962 on the old Ray and Charles Clagett estate.  A new wing was added to the Dundee location in 1992, another in 2024.

J.M. Atherton is considered a Magnet School, the only JCPS high school that offers an International Studies Program and an International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, which develops inquiring, knowledgeable, caring young people. Additionally, students have the option of enrolling in Advanced Placement, Honors classes, Advanced Placement Program, and Exceptional Education Programs.

In 2024, J.M. Atherton High School was ranked #462 in National Rankings. Top 20% or #143 out of 1267 schools in Kentucky, with a student to teacher ratio 19-1, and, Best College Prep Public High School in Kentucky #9 of 238.

Notable Alumni
Michelle Clark-Heard, former University of Cincinnati women's basketball head coach
John Yarmuth, Congressman
Jane Eskind, politician
Andrew Farrell, MLS player
Sue Grafton, mystery writer
Jack Harlow, rapper
Martha Rofheart (née Jones), actress/writer who grew up 1920s & 30s, graduated in 1932/33.