East Kentucky Times

There were 343 kindergarten students enrolled in Johnson County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 1.4% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Porter Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 75 students.

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

Statewide, Johnson County ranked 40th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 40th 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
Porter Elementary School	75	16.9%	445
Central Elementary School	63	16.4%	385
Paintsville Elementary School	57	12.2%	467
Highland Elementary School	56	12.1%	463
W. R. Castle Memorial Elementary School	48	11.4%	421
Flat Gap Elementary School	44	19.5%	226