SE Kentucky News

There were 352 seventh grade students enrolled in Harlan County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 0.6% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Harlan High School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 58 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 7th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Harlan High School	58	14%	415
Cumberland Elementary School	53	10.5%	505
James A. Cawood Elementary School	50	13.9%	359
Rosspoint Elementary School	49	11.7%	419
Wallins Elementary School	43	9.9%	435
Black Mountain Elementary School	37	11.6%	320
Evarts Elementary School	34	9.5%	359
Cawood Elementary School	20	8.3%	242
Green Hills Elementary School	8	5.5%	145