SE Kentucky News

There were 576 12th grade students enrolled in Whitley County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 9.6% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Corbin High School welcomed most of the 12th grade students in the county, registering 193 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 12th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Corbin High School	193	21.9%	882
Whitley County High School	190	17.8%	1,067
Williamsburg City School	76	8.2%	926
Colonel Academy	59	33.1%	178
Corbin School of Innovation	42	17.4%	241
Corbin Educational Center	9	11.4%	79
Whitley County Alternative School	7	6.2%	112