NE Kentucky News

There were 347 eighth grade students enrolled in Carter County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 3.9% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

East Carter Middle School welcomed most of the eighth grade students in the county, registering 193 students.

Within Carter County schools, the highest student population was found in ninth grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in preschool.

Statewide, Carter County ranked 44th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 44th 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
East Carter Middle School	193	36.6%	528
West Carter Middle School	138	34.9%	395
Carter Virtual Academy	16	15.7%	102