East Kentucky Times

There were 500 eighth grade students enrolled in Floyd County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 3.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

James D. Adams Middle School welcomed most of the eighth grade students in the county, registering 119 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 8th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
James D. Adams Middle School	119	34.5%	345
Betsy Layne Elementary School	74	10.6%	700
Duff-Allen Central Elementary School	68	13.4%	508
South Floyd Elementary School	64	9.3%	685
Allen Elementary School	60	11.2%	536
John M. Stumbo Elementary School	49	14.7%	333
Renaissance Learning Center	37	9.1%	406
May Valley Elementary School	29	6%	482