SE Kentucky News

There were 420 kindergarten students enrolled in Knox County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 27.7% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Lynn Camp Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 111 students.

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

Statewide, Knox County ranked 47th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 47th 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 Kindergarten Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Lynn Camp Elementary School	111	18.7%	594
Central Elementary School	62	14.6%	424
Girdler Elementary School	49	14.8%	332
Jesse D. Lay Elementary School	48	12.2%	394
G. R. Hampton Elementary School	44	14.3%	307
Barbourville City School	41	5.4%	760
Flat Lick Elementary School	36	16.1%	224
Dewitt Elementary School	29	19.9%	146