SE Kentucky News

There were 145 fourth grade students enrolled in Leslie County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 2.1% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Mountain View Elementary School welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 61 students.

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

Statewide, Leslie County ranked 99th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 99th 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
Mountain View Elementary School	61	11.1%	551
Stinnett Elementary School	39	10.9%	357
W. B. Muncy Elementary School	32	12.5%	257
Hayes Lewis Elementary School	13	10%	130