East Pennyroyal News

There were 591 preschool students enrolled in Pulaski County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 0.2% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Memorial Education Center welcomed most of the preschool students in the county, registering 300 students.

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

Statewide, Pulaski County ranked 12th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 12th 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 Preschool Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Memorial Education Center	300	96.5%	311
Hopkins Elementary School	75	10.4%	718
Burnside Elementary School	59	12%	491
Eubank Elementary School	35	8.6%	408
Northern Elementary School	35	8.8%	397
Science Hill Elementary School	31	6.1%	510
Shopville Elementary School	29	7.6%	383
Nancy Elementary School	27	7.5%	358