NW Kentucky News

There were 1,268 11th grade students enrolled in Daviess County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 5.8% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Daviess County High School welcomed most of the 11th grade students in the county, registering 423 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 11th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Daviess County High School	423	23.5%	1,800
Apollo High School	363	23.5%	1,545
Owensboro High School	305	21.3%	1,430
Heritage Park High School	72	33%	218
Valley High School	35	19.9%	176
The Center for Academic Improvement	33	15.6%	211
Emerson Academy	31	22.5%	138
Owensboro Day Treatment	6	17.6%	34