SE Kentucky News

There were 383 seventh grade students enrolled in Knox County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 10.1% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Knox County Middle School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 229 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 7th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Knox County Middle School	229	48.3%	474
Lynn Camp Middle High School	70	13.1%	534
Barbourville City School	62	8.2%	760
Knox County Day Treatment	13	19.1%	68
Knox Inspire Academy	6	6.2%	97
Knox Appalachian School	2	2.1%	95
Barbourville Learning Center	1	8.3%	12