East Pennyroyal News

There were 210 kindergarten students enrolled in McCreary County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 10.3% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Pine Knot Intermediate School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 126 students.

Within McCreary County schools, the highest student population was found in first grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in 12th grade.

Statewide, McCreary County ranked 66th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 66th 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
Pine Knot Intermediate School	126	14%	902
Whitley City Elementary School	84	13.9%	605