About

Continuing a Tradition of Excellence

Welcome to Valley High School, the Home of the Vikings. Valley has a long and rich history of student success dating back to our first graduating class in 1937. With our construction/renovation and redesign of our high school pathways, Valley is uniquely positioned to become an elite school for students pursuing career preparation in the fields of Pre-Nursing and Medical Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Navy JROTC, Digital Design and Game Development, Electrical Technician, HVAC Technician, Management and entrepreneurship, and Fine and Performance Arts.

In the twenty-first century, the fields of Pre-Nursing and Medical Assistant, Veterinary Assistant, Navy JROTC, Digital Design, and Game Development, Electrical Technician, HVAC Technician, Management & Entrepreneurship, and Fine and Performance Arts are where we can expect to see significant job opportunities and growth. But those who seek to take advantage of the opportunities must first pursue preparation. Today’s students must learn more and have greater skills than those who attended school in the twentieth century. Students seeking employment in the global economy must also become lifelong learners—constantly gaining new knowledge and skills to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies and workforce requirements.

All students deserve the opportunity to pursue happiness, security, and the American Dream. The faculty, staff, and Valley community are committed to providing that opportunity and the necessary preparation for all students. Our economy is undergoing a tremendous transformation. Our responsibility as adults (educators, parents, legislators, etc.) is to ensure that the students have the twenty-first-century skills necessary for success in any postsecondary endeavor. Our ultimate goal is for every student to graduate with a credentialed diploma and be college- and/or career-ready.

To meet the college- and career-readiness demands of the future, Valley also offers Dual Credit Courses, advanced programs, and Advanced Placement courses. Outside the classroom, students have the opportunity to participate in numerous clubs, organizations, and teams that help develop teamwork and leadership skills. Students at Valley also experience a culture of caring teachers, staff, and administrators who are committed to student success. We believe in our students, and we will do everything we can to make their time at Valley productive, special, and memorable.

The more you know about Valley, the better we look. Learn firsthand about our progress, innovations, enhanced educational offerings, and positive school atmosphere. Call 485-8339 to schedule a tour.

Our tradition is strong, and our future is bright! Join the Viking family.

wearing graduation outfit and smiling

Vision statement

All students graduate prepared to be compassionate and productive citizens.

Mission statement

We are a supportive and diverse community dedicated to meeting the needs of all students through pathways that develop skills to be successful in post-secondary endeavors.

Motto

Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe and Do it the Viking Way!

Highlights

  • In 2012, we opened the largest high school gymnasium in Louisville, seating 3,200, and a high-tech, 625-seat auditorium. We also made schoolwide classroom upgrades totaling more than $26 million.

  • Our Freshman Academy assists incoming ninth graders with the transition to high school.

  • We are a 5-Star High School offering Professional Career Theme Programs in Medicine, Health, and the Environment.

  • Advanced Placement, college, and career classes are available in numerous fields of study.

  • We have the award-winning and first Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) Program in Kentucky.

  • We offer National Honor Society, Beta Club, and many more academic and social organizations.

  • We have competitive and successful boys’ teams in football, basketball, baseball, track, wrestling, golf, tennis, and bowling.

  • We have competitive and successful girls’ teams in basketball, volleyball, softball, track, cheerleading, dance, and bowling.

  • We offer award-winning band, orchestra, chorus, drama, and art activities for students.

  • State-of-the-art technology is available throughout the school.

  • The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), Booster Club, and Alumni Association exist to help Valley students.

  • Business partnerships in the community enhance student experiences in the real world.

History

A site for a new school, which became Valley High School, was approved by the Jefferson County Board of Education on July 19, 1930. On February 28, 1931, the secretary was requested to notify Mr. Tafel, the architect, to prepare tentative plans for an eight-room high school building with an auditorium and a basement. The site was to be at the intersection of Valley Station Road, and 18th Street Road, purchased from Betty Dodge and Murray Swindler. The cost of the school was to be approximately $50,000.

In August 1936, the building was complete and ready to be opened with a grand dedication. Twenty-one grade schools would feed into Valley with the district boundaries ranging from Algonquin Parkway to West Point, and from the Ohio River to what we know today as New Cut Road.

The school colors of gold and white were chosen by David Bruce Brown (first principal) and coach P.C. Oneals (first football coach). The color blue was added to honor Mr. Brown when he returned from serving in World War II. The Viking mascot was chosen and became known around the area.

Valley originally housed 570 students, but in time increased to more than 3,000. Currently the enrollment is about 1,000. Valley has been added onto three times plus has had temporary buildings built. Over the years, six schools have been built to relieve Valley's enrollment and better serve the greater Louisville area.

Valley graduates have gone on to become everything from astronauts to zookeepers.

draw of valley high front