West Pennyroyal News

There were 612 seventh grade students enrolled in Barren County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 12.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Barren County Middle School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 344 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 7th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Barren County Middle School	344	49.3%	698
Glasgow Middle School	189	32.1%	589
Caverna Middle School	44	29.9%	147
BAVEL	20	7.3%	275
Happy Valley Learning Center	7	13%	54
College Street Campus	5	5.8%	86
Success Academy	3	2.1%	142