SE Kentucky News

There were 776 first grade students enrolled in Whitley County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 17.8% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Corbin Primary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 233 students.

Within Whitley County schools, the highest student population was found in first grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in 12th grade.

Statewide, Whitley County ranked 19th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 19th 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 1st Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Corbin Primary School	233	28%	832
Whitley County Central Primary School	159	30%	530
Oak Grove Elementary School	124	16.3%	762
Williamsburg City School	88	9.5%	926
Whitley County North Elementary School	57	15.5%	368
Whitley County East Elementary School	46	16%	288
Pleasant View Elementary School	35	12.6%	278
Boston Elementary School	30	14%	215
Corbin School of Innovation	4	1.7%	241