SE Kentucky News

There were 236 sixth grade students enrolled in Letcher County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 14.5% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Fleming Neon Middle School welcomed most of the sixth grade students in the county, registering 57 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 6th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Fleming Neon Middle School	57	32%	178
Whitesburg Middle School	52	29.4%	177
Letcher Elementary & Middle School	45	11.5%	390
Jenkins Independent School	36	6.6%	547
Cowan Elementary School	26	9.1%	286
Arlie Boggs Elementary School	19	14.3%	133
Letcher County Alternative Education Center	1	3.2%	31