SW Bluegrass News

There were 289 kindergarten students enrolled in Woodford County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 12.4% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

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

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

Statewide, Woodford County ranked 48th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 48th 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
Southside Elementary School	78	12.5%	624
Northside Elementary School	73	18%	406
Huntertown Elementary School	71	14.7%	483
Simmons Elementary School	67	14.9%	451