With more than 32 years in public education, I have been blessed to serve students and families in many roles—including high school social studies teacher, counselor, assistant principal, and principal—each experience shaping my belief that schools thrive when relationships, high expectations, and care for the whole child are at the center.v
After briefly retiring from the principalship, I felt a clear call to return to school leadership in a new way—to promote Catholic education, serve the broader community, and help form young people not only academically, but spiritually as well. John Paul II Academy’s mission, its commitment to the Titan Pledge, and its strong, family-like community made that calling unmistakable.
At John Paul II Academy, we take pride in small class sizes that allow us to know each student personally, offering individualized support while fostering growth and confidence.
I am continually impressed by our students of character, our dedicated and faith-filled staff, and the partnership with families that defines our school. This is a place where students are challenged to grow, serve, and lead, and where every child is known, valued, and inspired.
I look forward to continuing the great work already underway at John Paul II Academy and to serving our students, families, and parish community as we move forward together—forming Titans who live their faith, pursue excellence, and serve others with compassion.
Warm Regards,
Bill Perkins, Principal
Christ is truly at the center of our school, guiding students to live with integrity, compassion, and purpose.
Our rigorous curriculum challenges students to reach their potential while instilling a lifelong love of learning.
Students explore creativity through music, visual arts, drama, and cultural experiences that enrich their perspective.
John Paul II Academy is a welcoming place where students feel supported, confident, and part of a caring family.
Proudly embracing the Catholic tradition, and united in our diversity, John Paul II Academy provides students with exceptional opportunities for spiritual, academic, emotional, and social growth. In partnership with parents, we nurture the whole child.
We use Christ-centered, academically rigorous, targeted instruction to prepare our youth to be disciples who are lifelong learners that lead holy, honorable lives.
01 Committed to being a member of a welcoming and hope-filled community
02 Committed to loving and nurturing the whole child
03 Committed to making disciples
04 Committed to devoutly embracing the Catholic tradition
05 Committed to being humble servants with a willing, teachable spirit
06 Committed to growth in pursuit of excellence
The impetus of a Catholic education is the development of a genuine Christian love based on the example of Christ.
It must engender a love of learning, both spiritual and scholastic; develop an acceptance of one’s uniqueness; afford an atmosphere in which moral values mature; and form attitudes of human dignity and understanding.
With the role of parents as the primary educators of their children always recognized, the religious formation of students must follow the catechetical norms and regulations of the Catholic Church by striving to:
John Paul II Academy is a small, vibrant Catholic elementary school in the Buechel/Hikes Point area of Louisville, KY committed to providing educational excellence in a Christ-centered and value-oriented environment.
Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to a highly individualized approach to each student’s academic progress and faith formation. This process is enriched by the school’s own highly diverse student population, which is continuously engaged to be always inclusive of others and attentive to their wellbeing. This learning experience, done with utmost care and respect for all persons is a hallmark of John Paul II Academy.
Our purpose is to graduate students who are proud of their academic growth and are committed to a life of excellence, who possess a strong sense of individual responsibility and are eager to be of service to their community, and who can confidently embrace ever-changing technology and science – while remaining firmly grounded in study, faith, and worship.
John Paul II Academy is a Catholic Regional Academy located in a neighborhood setting. Established in 2006, it is the first Regional Academy located in the eastern part of Louisville, KY. Evolving from the merging of three parish schools it is enriched by the support of the parish communities of St. John Paul II and St. Bartholomew.
The Academy serves students from three years of age through grade eight. John Paul II Academy was originally accredited through the KYNon-Public School Association and is included in the AdvanceEd (formerly Southern Association of Schools and Colleges) Archdiocese of Louisville Elementary School district accreditation.
The faculty and staff includes a full-time Principal, certified classroom teachers, a licensed counselor, two full-time resource teachers, special area teachers including music, art, STREAM, technology, Spanish, physical education, and library, teaching assistants, one business office person, office assistants, full-time maintenance person, full-time cafeteria manager and cook, full-time after school director and after school care assistants. In addition, we are afforded the services of the active involvement of the parish pastors and their staff.
The facility houses eleven homerooms, art room, STREAM lab, music room, technology lab, resource room, Minds In Motion Room, counselor’s office, faculty and staff lounge, maintenance room, boiler room, school office, cafeteria, library, and business office. The Community Center, also located adjacent to the school, is a fully equipped gymnasium with stage. A track and field area is located behind the main building along with an outdoor environmental classroom. The host parish church is connected to the Academy by outside and indoor walkways.
John Paul II Academy is Regional Catholic School in the Archdiocese of Louisville, dedicated to inspiring excellence in education and preparing our students to be leaders in their community and lifelong facilitators of their faith and learning.
Educate the mind, enrich the heart, inspire the soul. Come and see why people love our school.
Now accepting Pre-K though 8th grade applications.
Help Louisville families give a Catholic school education to their children.
John Paul II Academy is a private Catholic PreK–8 school in Louisville, KY. We partner with parents and guardians to form the whole child—spiritually, academically, emotionally, and socially—through a Christ-centered education grounded in the Catholic tradition.
We’re located in Louisville, Kentucky—serving families throughout the city and surrounding areas (Buechel/Hikes Point area).
We serve students from Pre-K through 8th grade.
Yes. John Paul II Academy is a regional Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Louisville, supported by local parish communities and their pastors.
Proudly embracing the Catholic tradition and united in our diversity, John Paul II Academy provides students with exceptional opportunities for spiritual, academic, emotional, and social growth. In partnership with parents, we nurture the whole child through Christ-centered, academically rigorous instruction—preparing students to be disciples and lifelong learners who lead holy, honorable lives.
Families often choose JP2 because it’s both deeply Catholic and highly relational—small classes where students are known and supported, a joyful “family” community, and strong academics. We also emphasize arts and culture, and we welcome families from all backgrounds while staying centered on Christ.
John Paul II Academy was established in 2006 as a regional Catholic academy in Louisville, KY.
Our approach is rooted in the Catholic understanding of the human person: we educate minds, enrich hearts, and inspire souls. We aim to develop a love of learning and faith, foster moral and spiritual growth, and form students in dignity, virtue, and compassion—recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children.
Yes. John Paul II Academy is part of the Archdiocese of Louisville Elementary School district accreditation (AdvanceEd) and has been accredited through Kentucky non-public school accreditation organizations.
No. While we are proudly Catholic and our faith is central to school life, we welcome families from all backgrounds who want a Christ-centered education and are supportive of our mission and community values.
