SE Kentucky News

There were 246 ninth grade students enrolled in Letcher County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 18.5% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Letcher County Central High School welcomed most of the ninth grade students in the county, registering 194 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 9th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Letcher County Central High School	194	24.1%	804
Jenkins Independent School	47	8.6%	547
Letcher County Alternative Education Center	5	16.1%	31