The majority of students in Estill County schools were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 2,270 students attending Estill County schools, 95.6% were white. Multiracial students were the second most represented ethnicity, making up 1.9%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Estill County schools, representing 95.8% of the student body.
Estill County Middle School had the most even distribution of races among county schools, which included 94.1% white students, 2.3% multiracial students, 2.1% Hispanic or Latino students, 0.7% African American students, and 0.2% Asian students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in schools in the county dropped to 1.7% 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.
| School | Most Prevalent | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estill County High School | White | 96.9% | 678 |
| West Irvine Elementary School | White | 95.1% | 510 |
| Estill Springs Elementary School | White | 95.8% | 501 |
| Estill County Middle School | White | 94.1% | 426 |
| South Irvine Early Learning Center | White | 94.8% | 155 |
| Estill County Success Academy | White | 96.2% | 104 |