NW Kentucky News

There were 142 11th grade students enrolled in Union County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 36.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Union County High School welcomed most of the 11th grade students in the county, registering 137 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 11th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Union County High School	137	20.8%	660
Union County Learning Academy	5	14.3%	35