Shelby County

Shelbyville is located in the heart of Shelby County, which in turn is located in the heart of the state of Kentucky. Founded in 1792 and named after Isaac Shelby, Shelbyville is a delightful mixture of small town charm and big city amenities. Appealing to both young and old, families and singles, professionals and students, Shelbyville has a something for everyone.

Known also as "The Gateway to the Bluegrass", Shelbyville is first and foremost horse country. Grazing thoroughbreds dot the vibrant green pastures of the many prominent stables that have made Kentucky famous, and the nearby Saddlebred horse farms attract thousands of visitors annually. Considered to be the American Saddlebred Show capital, each year thousands of horse lovers descend upon the town to enjoy the much-anticipated Annual Shelbyville Horse Show. Rich in tradition and history, downtown Shelbyville is a lively center of shopping, dining and entertainment.

With a land area of 7.6 square miles and a population of just over 10,000 residents, Shelbyville is small and intimate but not at all isolated. Easily accessed by I 64, Shelbyville lies within comfortable traveling distance of many large cities and is 36 miles from Louisville and 302 miles from Chicago. Shelbyville's nearest neighbors are Simpsonville (8.8 miles), Eminence (11.2 miles) and Pleasureville (12.2 miles). Both the Louisville International Airport and the Blue Grass Airport located in Lexington service Shelbyville.

Residents of Shelbyville have the best of both worlds: small town solitude and big city vitality. The spectacular beauty of the Kentucky countryside is world famous. Louisville, the center of culture, entertainment and recreational activities is a mere 45-minute drive. In Louisville you will find something to suit every interest from professional sports teams, world-class cultural attractions including the Louisville Symphony, Louisville Opera and the Louisville Metropolitan Ballet to exciting nightlife, award winning restaurants, museums and art galleries. "Derby Town" as Louisville is also known is the center of the Kentucky Derby a landmark event that attracts thousands of visitors annually and is preceded by a wealth of festivals and celebrations. Steeped in history, the area also has many historical sites and fully restored period homes. Popular family activities include a visit to The Belle of Louisville, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Churchill Downs Kentucky Derby Museum the Louisville Science Center and the Louisville Slugger Museum home of the world's largest bat. Louisville's two riverboats The Belle of Louisville and The Spirit of Jefferson offer daily excursions of the Ohio River.

The mission statement of Shelby County District Schools is as follows: Dedicated to Excellence and Success for All and by all indications Kentucky's exemplary school district has held true to their intention. Shelby County faces the education of their youth with great enthusiasm focusing on the fundamental skills a child will need to succeed as an active and responsible member of society. Drawing the child into the community at an early age is an encouraged practice as the days of isolated classroom education become more and more obsolete. Students are urged from the beginning to view themselves as active community participants, not indifferent observers, empowered to create and influence the world in which they live.

To that end, the Oldham County School District supports a comprehensive curriculum enhanced by special programs that engage the unique talents and interests of each individual child. Enrichment programs focusing on technology and the arts have become a school priority. In recognition of consistent educational excellence, the Shelby County School District was named the pilot site for an innovative state technology project, which resulted in the acquisition of over 1,100-networked computers.

Similar programs in a variety of subjects have characterized the educational landscape of Shelby County as greater support is channeled from statewide resources. By promoting leadership, fostering teamwork and community involvement and meeting the most rigorous educational criteria to date, the Shelby County School District exemplifies a high standard of excellence.