There were 13 Asian students enrolled in Harlan County schools in the 2023-24 school year, a 30% increase from the 10 Asian students in the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Harlan County welcomed a total of 3,095 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, Asian students comprised 0.4% of the student body to be the second least represented ethnicity in the county.
Among the 12 schools in Harlan County, Harlan Elementary School recorded the highest enrollment of Asian students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of four students, making up 1% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harlan County High School | 0.1% | 1,029 |
| Black Mountain Elementary School | 0.3% | 304 |
| Cumberland Elementary School | 0.4% | 518 |
| Evarts Elementary School | 0.5% | 375 |
| Harlan Elementary School | 1% | 383 |
| Harlan High School | 0.6% | 486 |