The majority of students in Mercer County schools were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 3,495 students attending Mercer County schools, 82.8% were white. Hispanic or Latino students were the second most represented ethnicity, making up 7%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Mercer County schools, representing 82.5% of the student body.
Mercer Central had the most even distribution of races among county schools, which included 70.7% white students, 18.7% Hispanic or Latino students, 6.7% multiracial students, and 4% African American students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in schools in the county dropped to 0.1% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County Elementary School | White | 82.2% | 804 |
| Mercer County Senior High School | White | 82% | 789 |
| Kenneth D. King Middle School | White | 81.4% | 652 |
| Mercer County Intermediate School | White | 81.9% | 597 |
| Burgin Independent School | White | 89.4% | 546 |
| Mercer Central | White | 70.7% | 75 |
| Mercer County Day Treatment | White | 75% | 32 |