SE Bluegrass News

There were 1,014 third grade students enrolled in Madison County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 1.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Kingston Elementary School welcomed most of the third grade students in the county, registering 116 students.

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

Statewide, Madison County ranked eighth in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked eighth 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 3rd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Kingston Elementary School	116	17.1%	679
Silver Creek Elementary School	103	18.3%	562
Kirksville Elementary School	98	15.2%	644
Daniel Boone Elementary School	95	17.1%	555
Kit Carson Elementary School	95	18.7%	507
Glenn R. Marshall Elementary School	85	17.7%	480
White Hall Elementary School	82	19.4%	423
Shannon Johnson Elementary School	78	15.2%	513
Berea Community Elementary School	76	13.5%	561
Waco Elementary School	74	15.7%	470
Boonesborough Elementary School	65	14.2%	457
Model Elementary School	47	14.3%	329