NW Kentucky News

There were 1,349 eighth grade students enrolled in Daviess County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 3.9% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Owensboro Middle School welcomed most of the eighth grade students in the county, registering 317 students.

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

Statewide, Daviess County ranked seventh in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked seventh 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 8th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Owensboro Middle School	317	36.1%	879
College View Middle School	294	32%	919
Daviess County Middle School	284	32.9%	862
F. T. Burns Middle School	257	33.3%	771
Owensboro Innovation Middle School	100	31.8%	314
Valley Elementary School	54	17.9%	301
The Center for Academic Improvement	36	17.1%	211
Owensboro Day Treatment	7	20.6%	34