SE Kentucky News

There were 290 fifth grade students enrolled in Bell County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 7.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Middlesboro Middle School welcomed most of the fifth grade students in the county, registering 76 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 5th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Middlesboro Middle School	76	24%	317
Yellow Creek School Center	60	9.4%	636
Bell Central School Center	45	8.4%	536
Page School Center	35	10.9%	320
Pineville Independent School	35	5.5%	641
Lone Jack School Center	18	7.9%	229
Frakes School Center	11	9.3%	118
Right Fork School Center	10	5.9%	170