NW Kentucky News

There were 132 fifth grade students enrolled in Union County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 13.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Sturgis Elementary School welcomed most of the fifth grade students in the county, registering 59 students.

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

Statewide, Union County ranked 85th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 85th 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 5th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Sturgis Elementary School	59	15.5%	381
Morganfield Elementary School	46	13.3%	346
Uniontown Elementary School	27	12.7%	213