SW Bluegrass News

There were 234 second grade students enrolled in Lincoln County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 16.4% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Stanford Elementary School welcomed most of the second grade students in the county, registering 72 students.

Within Lincoln County schools, the highest student population was found in kindergarten, with the smallest class sizes seen in 12th grade.

Statewide, Lincoln County ranked 51st in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 51st 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 2nd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Stanford Elementary School	72	11.7%	617
Hustonville Elementary School	62	13%	478
Crab Orchard Elementary School	47	14.6%	323
Highland Elementary School	28	12.3%	227
Waynesburg Elementary School	25	12.1%	207