There were 307 seventh grade students enrolled in Bell County schools in the 2024-25 school year, 11% fewer than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Middlesboro Middle School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 79 students.
Within Bell County schools, enrollment was highest in kindergarten and lowest in 12th grade.
Statewide, Bell County ranked 41st in total enrollment. It held the same ranking the previous year.
Kentucky schools face funding gaps as state support is 24% below 2008 levels after accounting for inflation. According to a report from KY Policy, the average teacher salaries are 19.8% lower than in 2008, when adjusted for inflation, while transportation funding covers just 82% of the required amount. The gap between wealthy and poor districts has widened to $4,247 per student, and several districts report deficits, including $16 million in Fayette County and $3.9 million in Newport.
| School | # of 7th Grade Students Enrolled | % of Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesboro Middle School | 79 | 24.9% | 317 |
| Bell Central School Center | 53 | 9.3% | 570 |
| Yellow Creek School Center | 51 | 8.3% | 618 |
| Pineville Independent School | 43 | 6.9% | 622 |
| Page School Center | 37 | 11.8% | 313 |
| Lone Jack School Center | 19 | 8.6% | 220 |
| Right Fork School Center | 12 | 6.6% | 181 |
| Frakes School Center | 11 | 8.7% | 126 |
| Middlesboro Alternative School | 2 | 4.5% | 44 |
Information in this article was obtained from the Kentucky Department of Education. The source data can be found here.