There were 24 Asian students enrolled in Mercer County schools in the 2023-24 school year, a 20% decrease from the 30 Asian students in the previous school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Data showed that Mercer County welcomed a total of 3,388 students during the 2023-24 school year. Among them, Asian students comprised 0.7% of the student body to be the second least represented ethnicity in the county.
Among the seven schools in Mercer County, two schools recorded the highest enrollment of Asian students in the 2023-24 school year, with a total of seven students.
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 name | % of Asian Students | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Burgin Independent School | 0.2% | 546 |
| Mercer County Senior High School | 0.9% | 789 |
| Kenneth D. King Middle School | 1.1% | 652 |
| Mercer County Intermediate School | 0.7% | 597 |
| Mercer County Elementary School | 0.6% | 804 |