NW Kentucky News

There were 1,525 ninth grade students enrolled in Daviess County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 1.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Daviess County High School welcomed most of the ninth grade students in the county, registering 504 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 9th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Daviess County High School	504	28%	1,800
Apollo High School	436	28.2%	1,545
Owensboro High School	413	28.9%	1,430
Valley High School	79	44.9%	176
The Center for Academic Improvement	36	17.1%	211
Emerson Academy	30	21.7%	138
Heritage Park High School	17	7.8%	218
Owensboro Day Treatment	10	29.4%	34