The majority of students in Lewis County schools were white in the 2023-24 school year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.
Of the 1,719 students attending Lewis County schools, 95.5% were white. Multiracial students were the second most represented ethnicity, making up 2.9%.
In the previous school year, white students were also the most common group in Lewis County schools, representing 96.4% of the student body.
Lewis County Central Elementary School and Lewis County High School had the most diverse student body in the county, which included African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, multiracial, and white students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in schools in the county dropped to 3.2% compared to the previous year.
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.
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 | Most Prevalent | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis County High School | White | 94.9% | 631 |
| Lewis County Central Elementary School | White | 95.7% | 484 |
| Garrison Elementary School | White | 94.2% | 311 |
| Lewis County Middle School | White | 95.9% | 293 |
| Tollesboro Elementary School | White | 96.1% | 285 |
| Laurel Elementary School | White | 100% | 90 |