There were 625 first grade students enrolled in Barren County schools in the 2024-25 school year, 9.7% fewer than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Highland Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 99 students.
Within Barren County schools, enrollment was highest in 11th grade and lowest in preschool.
Statewide, Barren County ranked 18th in total enrollment. It held the same ranking the previous year.
Kentucky schools face funding gaps as state support is 24% below 2008 levels after accounting for inflation. According to a report from KY Policy, the average teacher salaries are 19.8% lower than in 2008, when adjusted for inflation, while transportation funding covers just 82% of the required amount. The gap between wealthy and poor districts has widened to $4,247 per student, and several districts report deficits, including $16 million in Fayette County and $3.9 million in Newport.
| School | # of 1st Grade Students Enrolled | % of Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Elementary School | 99 | 14.8% | 671 |
| Red Cross Elementary School | 94 | 13% | 721 |
| South Green Elementary School | 86 | 16.6% | 519 |
| North Jackson Elementary School | 66 | 11.8% | 557 |
| Caverna Elementary School | 63 | 16.2% | 390 |
| Austin Tracy Elementary School | 46 | 12.2% | 377 |
| Hiseville Elementary School | 46 | 13.5% | 341 |
| Park City Elementary School | 43 | 13.2% | 326 |
| Temple Hill Elementary School | 42 | 14.3% | 293 |
| Eastern Elementary School | 37 | 9.9% | 374 |
| BAVEL | 3 | 1.1% | 268 |
Information in this article was obtained from the Kentucky Department of Education. The source data can be found here.