There were seven American Indian or Alaska Native students enrolled in Simpson County schools in the 2023-24 school year, the same number as the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Simpson County welcomed a total of 2,833 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, American Indian or Alaska Native students comprised 0.2% of the student body to be the least represented ethnicity in the county.
Among the six schools in Simpson County, Franklin-Simpson Middle School recorded the highest enrollment of American Indian or Alaska Native students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of three students, making up 0.4% of the school’s total student body.
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.
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 name | % of American Indian or Alaska Native Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Franklin-Simpson Middle School | 0.4% | 669 |
| Franklin-Simpson High School | 0.1% | 909 |
| Lincoln Elementary School | 0.2% | 493 |
| Simpson Elementary School | 0.3% | 762 |