SE Kentucky News

There were 719 ninth grade students enrolled in Whitley County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 4.2% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Whitley County High School welcomed most of the ninth grade students in the county, registering 307 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 9th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Whitley County High School	307	28.8%	1,067
Corbin High School	251	28.5%	882
Williamsburg City School	79	8.5%	926
Corbin School of Innovation	25	10.4%	241
Whitley County Alternative School	24	21.4%	112
Colonel Academy	17	9.6%	178
Corbin Educational Center	16	20.3%	79