NW Kentucky News

There were 1,223 12th grade students enrolled in Daviess County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 6.6% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Daviess County High School welcomed most of the 12th grade students in the county, registering 428 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 12th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Daviess County High School	428	23.8%	1,800
Apollo High School	331	21.4%	1,545
Owensboro High School	307	21.5%	1,430
Heritage Park High School	93	42.7%	218
Emerson Academy	46	33.3%	138
The Center for Academic Improvement	11	5.2%	211
Valley High School	6	3.4%	176
Owensboro Day Treatment	1	2.9%	34