SE Kentucky News

There were 225 fourth grade students enrolled in Letcher County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 15.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

West Whitesburg Elementary School welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 67 students.

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

Statewide, Letcher County ranked 54th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 54th 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 4th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
West Whitesburg Elementary School	67	15.1%	444
Martha Jane Potter Elementary School	51	15.4%	332
Letcher Elementary & Middle School	38	9.7%	390
Cowan Elementary School	31	10.8%	286
Jenkins Independent School	25	4.6%	547
Arlie Boggs Elementary School	12	9%	133
Letcher County Alternative Education Center	1	3.2%	31