East Pennyroyal News

There were 900 kindergarten students enrolled in Pulaski County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 2.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Hopkins Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 162 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 Kindergarten Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Hopkins Elementary School	162	22.6%	718
Southern Elementary School	124	17%	728
Oak Hill Elementary School	105	18.2%	576
Pulaski Elementary School	95	16.1%	591
Burnside Elementary School	80	16.3%	491
Shopville Elementary School	74	19.3%	383
Northern Elementary School	71	17.9%	397
Science Hill Elementary School	61	12%	510
Eubank Elementary School	59	14.5%	408
Nancy Elementary School	58	16.2%	358
Memorial Education Center	11	3.5%	311