NE Kentucky News

There were 187 first grade students enrolled in Fleming County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 12% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Flemingsburg Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 83 students.

Within Fleming County schools, the highest student population was found in kindergarten, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, Fleming County ranked 82nd in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 82nd 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 1st Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Flemingsburg Elementary School	83	14.5%	571
Ewing Elementary School	59	16%	368
E. P. Ward Elementary School	24	13%	185
Hillsboro Elementary School	21	12.4%	169