East Kentucky Times

There were 711 kindergarten students enrolled in Pike County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 10.2% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Valley Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 112 students.

Within Pike County schools, the highest student population was found in 10th grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, Pike County ranked 17th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 17th 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
Valley Elementary School	112	12.2%	919
Pikeville Elementary School	104	15.2%	684
Belfry Elementary School	90	14.2%	632
Mullins Elementary School	79	9.7%	812
Johns Creek Elementary School	68	9.6%	712
Millard School	63	9.5%	663
Bevins Elementary School	49	19.2%	255
Elkhorn City Elementary School	49	10.3%	476
Phelps Elementary School	32	10%	320
Dorton Elementary School	27	9.5%	283
Feds Creek Elementary School	22	11.7%	188
Kimper Elementary School	16	11.6%	138