NW Kentucky News

There were 584 first grade students enrolled in Henderson County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 2.1% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Spottsville Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 99 students.

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

Statewide, Henderson County ranked 24th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 24th 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 1st Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Spottsville Elementary School	99	17%	581
South Heights Elementary School	88	18.8%	468
Bend Gate Elementary School	86	18.3%	469
Jefferson Elementary School	81	19.7%	411
East Heights Elementary School	69	18.1%	382
A. B. Chandler Elementary School	63	20.9%	302
Cairo Elementary School	53	19.1%	278
Niagara Elementary School	45	15.6%	288