NW Kentucky News

There were 336 sixth grade students enrolled in Ohio County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 7% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Wayland Alexander Elementary School welcomed most of the sixth grade students in the county, registering 101 students.

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

Statewide, Ohio County ranked 45th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 45th 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 6th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Wayland Alexander Elementary School	101	14%	719
Beaver Dam Elementary School	92	15.6%	591
Southern Elementary School	45	14.1%	319
Western Elementary School	42	14.2%	295
Fordsville Elementary School	26	9.8%	265
Horse Branch Elementary School	26	11.9%	219
Ohio County Day Treatment	3	4.9%	61
Ohio County Alternative Learning Program	1	2.8%	36