East Kentucky Times

There were 395 third grade students enrolled in Floyd County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 17.2% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Prestonsburg Elementary School welcomed most of the third grade students in the county, registering 73 students.

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

Statewide, Floyd County ranked 27th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 27th 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 3rd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Prestonsburg Elementary School	73	10.2%	713
South Floyd Elementary School	72	10.5%	685
Betsy Layne Elementary School	68	9.7%	700
May Valley Elementary School	51	10.6%	482
Allen Elementary School	50	9.3%	536
Duff-Allen Central Elementary School	35	6.9%	508
John M. Stumbo Elementary School	33	9.9%	333
Renaissance Learning Center	13	3.2%	406