SE Kentucky News

There were 308 second grade students enrolled in Harlan County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 9.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Harlan Elementary School welcomed most of the second grade students in the county, registering 61 students.

Within Harlan County schools, the highest student population was found in first grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in 12th grade.

Statewide, Harlan County ranked 38th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 38th 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 2nd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Harlan Elementary School	61	16.3%	375
Wallins Elementary School	50	11.5%	435
Cumberland Elementary School	45	8.9%	505
Black Mountain Elementary School	36	11.2%	320
Rosspoint Elementary School	33	7.9%	419
James A. Cawood Elementary School	30	8.4%	359
Cawood Elementary School	23	9.5%	242
Evarts Elementary School	23	6.4%	359
Green Hills Elementary School	7	4.8%	145