There were seven Asian students enrolled in Bell County schools in the 2023-24 school year, a 12.5% decrease from the eight Asian students in the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Bell County welcomed a total of 1,240 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, Asian students comprised 0.6% of the student body to be the second least represented ethnicity in the county.
Among the 11 schools in Bell County, Middlesboro High School recorded the highest enrollment of Asian students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of five students, making up 1.4% of the school’s total student body.
Kentucky is in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage as turnover rates spiked to 10.9% in 2023, up from an 8.9% nine-year average. This issue is more prominent in schools with more low-income and minority students.
Between 2019 and 2023, there was an increase of 260% in the number of available teaching posts in Kentucky schools. This often leads to larger class sizes, combining programs, and retaining staff despite potential negative impacts on teacher working conditions.
| School name | % of Asian Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Bell Central School Center | 0.2% | 538 |
| Middlesboro Middle School | 0.3% | 337 |
| Middlesboro High School | 1.4% | 365 |