NW Kentucky News

There were 535 second grade students enrolled in Hopkins County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 1.8% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

West Broadway Elementary School welcomed most of the second grade students in the county, registering 73 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 2nd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
West Broadway Elementary School	73	17.8%	411
Jesse Stuart Elementary School	70	17.2%	408
Pride Elementary School	69	13.3%	520
Southside Elementary School	68	16.5%	413
Hanson Elementary School	67	14.7%	456
Grapevine Elementary School	57	13.1%	434
Dawson Springs Elementary School	48	15.1%	317
Earlington Elementary School	43	14.3%	301
West Hopkins School	40	10.3%	387