In 2023-24 school year, white students had highest representation in Simpson County schools

The majority of students in Simpson County schools were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Of the 3,365 students attending Simpson County schools, 75.1% were white. African American students were the second most represented ethnicity, making up 9.1%.

In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Simpson County schools, representing 76.2% of the student body.

Franklin-Simpson Middle School had the most even distribution of races among county schools, which included 73.4% white students, 8.4% Hispanic or Latino students, 8.4% multiracial students, 8.2% African American students, 1.2% Asian students, and 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native students.

In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in schools in the county dropped to 1.8% compared to the previous year.

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.