East Louisville News

There were 519 kindergarten students enrolled in Shelby County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Heritage Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 80 students.

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

Statewide, Shelby County ranked 26th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 26th 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
Heritage Elementary School	80	17.7%	453
Wright Elementary School	79	16.2%	489
Painted Stone Elementary School	78	16.5%	473
Simpsonville Elementary School	74	16.1%	461
Southside Elementary School	70	15.1%	464
Marnel C. Moorman School	69	8.4%	823
Clear Creek Elementary School	69	15%	459