West Pennyroyal News

There were 679 first grade students enrolled in Barren County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 2.1% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Red Cross Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 104 students.

Within Barren County schools, the highest student population was found in ninth grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in fifth grade.

Statewide, Barren County ranked 18th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 18th 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 1st Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Red Cross Elementary School	104	13.8%	753
Highland Elementary School	101	12.4%	816
South Green Elementary School	93	15.6%	595
North Jackson Elementary School	72	12.3%	583
Park City Elementary School	62	14.2%	436
Eastern Elementary School	53	14%	378
Caverna Elementary School	52	14.7%	354
Austin Tracy Elementary School	50	13.7%	366
Hiseville Elementary School	50	15.5%	322
Temple Hill Elementary School	38	12.8%	298
BAVEL	4	1.5%	275