SE Kentucky News

Bell County High School had the highest enrollment among Bell County schools, welcoming 702 students during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Of all the students welcomed in the 2023-24 school year, 51% of them were boys, and 49% were girls.

Data also showed that the majority of students were white, making up 98.6% of Bell County High School's total enrollment.

Among the 13 schools in Bell County, Pineville Independent School ranked second in enrollment numbers with 639 students, while Yellow Creek School Center welcomed 623 students and ranked third in the 2023-24 school year.

Bell County High School is part of Bell County School District, which roughly covers schools within Bell County and has a main office in Pineville.

In the previous school year, Bell County High School also had the highest number of students among Bell County schools.

According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 13% of teacher vacancies in the state remained unfilled throughout the 2023-24 school year.

District leaders also raised concerns about applicant quality, with 49% saying candidates were similar to the previous year and 42% saying they were of lower quality.

Currently, after adjusting for inflation, the average teacher salary in Kentucky is nearly 20% lower than in 2008. State data shows teachers earn about $14,000 less in real terms.

School name	City	Total School Enrollment
Bell County High School	Pineville	702
Pineville Independent School	Pineville	639
Yellow Creek School Center	Middlesboro	623
Bell Central School Center	Pineville	538
Middlesboro Elementary School	Middlesboro	526
Middlesboro High School	Middlesboro	365
Middlesboro Middle School	Middlesboro	337
Page School Center	Pineville	302
Lone Jack School Center	Fourmile	246
Right Fork School Center	Stoney Fork	174
Frakes School Center	Frakes	122
Middlesboro Alternative School	Middlesboro	46
Middlesboro Group Home School	Middlesboro	32