East Pennyroyal News

There were 768 fourth grade students enrolled in Pulaski County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 5.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Southern Elementary School welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 121 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 4th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Southern Elementary School	121	16.6%	728
Hopkins Elementary School	119	16.6%	718
Pulaski Elementary School	102	17.3%	591
Oak Hill Elementary School	92	16%	576
Burnside Elementary School	67	13.6%	491
Nancy Elementary School	64	17.9%	358
Eubank Elementary School	57	14%	408
Shopville Elementary School	52	13.6%	383
Northern Elementary School	52	13.1%	397
Science Hill Elementary School	42	8.2%	510