NE Kentucky News

There were 556 eighth grade students enrolled in Boyd County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 6.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Ashland Middle School welcomed most of the eighth grade students in the county, registering 247 students.

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

Statewide, Boyd County ranked 25th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 25th 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
Ashland Middle School	247	33.4%	739
Boyd County Middle School	235	35.2%	668
Fairview High School	60	16.1%	372
Ashland Alternative School	6	15%	40
Boyd County Central School	5	12.8%	39
Ramey-Estep High School	3	5.9%	51