SE Kentucky News

There were 647 fourth grade students enrolled in Whitley County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 10% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Corbin Elementary School welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 205 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 4th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Corbin Elementary School	205	51.4%	399
Whitley Central Intermediate School	127	25.7%	495
Oak Grove Elementary School	88	11.5%	762
Williamsburg City School	67	7.2%	926
Whitley County North Elementary School	57	15.5%	368
Whitley County East Elementary School	38	13.2%	288
Pleasant View Elementary School	30	10.8%	278
Boston Elementary School	22	10.2%	215
Corbin School of Innovation	12	5%	241
Corbin Educational Center	1	1.3%	79