SE Bluegrass News

There were 152 kindergarten students enrolled in Estill County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 24.8% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Estill Springs Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 78 students.

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

Statewide, Estill County ranked 75th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 75th 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 Kindergarten Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Estill Springs Elementary School	78	16.2%	482
West Irvine Elementary School	74	14.8%	500