SE Kentucky News

There were 341 fourth grade students enrolled in Bell County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 19.6% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Yellow Creek School Center welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 89 students.

Within Bell County schools, the highest student population was found in ninth grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in fifth grade.

Statewide, Bell County ranked 39th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 39th 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
Yellow Creek School Center	89	14%	636
Middlesboro Elementary School	79	15.9%	496
Bell Central School Center	61	11.4%	536
Pineville Independent School	42	6.6%	641
Page School Center	23	7.2%	320
Lone Jack School Center	23	10%	229
Right Fork School Center	13	7.6%	170
Frakes School Center	11	9.3%	118