NW Kentucky News

There were 546 kindergarten students enrolled in Hopkins County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 0.5% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Grapevine Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 81 students.

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

Statewide, Hopkins County ranked 22nd in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 22nd 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 Kindergarten Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Grapevine Elementary School	81	18.7%	434
Hanson Elementary School	77	16.9%	456
Pride Elementary School	71	13.7%	520
Southside Elementary School	69	16.7%	413
Jesse Stuart Elementary School	66	16.2%	408
Earlington Elementary School	49	16.3%	301
West Broadway Elementary School	47	11.4%	411
Dawson Springs Elementary School	45	14.2%	317
West Hopkins School	41	10.6%	387