SE Kentucky News

There were 902 first grade students enrolled in Laurel County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 16.4% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

London Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 113 students.

Within Laurel County schools, the highest student population was found in first grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, Laurel County ranked 14th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 14th the year before.

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.

Data also shows that 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	# of 1st Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
London Elementary School	113	18.7%	603
Hunter Hills Elementary School	112	17%	659
Bush Elementary School	85	15.2%	559
Colony Elementary School	77	18.2%	424
Johnson Elementary School	77	21.4%	359
East Bernstadt Elementary School	71	13.2%	538
Wyan-Pine Grove Elementary School	70	14.9%	471
Hazel Green Elementary School	67	16.8%	398
Keavy Elementary School	64	20.1%	318
Camp Ground Elementary School	59	17.1%	345
Sublimity Elementary School	58	16.5%	351
Cold Hill Elementary School	49	16.5%	297