SE Bluegrass News

There were 211 ninth grade students enrolled in Bath County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 5.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Bath County High School welcomed most of the ninth grade students in the county, registering 201 students.

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

Statewide, Bath County ranked 86th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 86th 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 9th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Bath County High School	201	30.1%	667
Second Chance Academy	10	25.6%	39