Elizabethtown Times

There were 1,492 first grade students enrolled in Hardin County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 6.3% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

G. C. Burkhead Elementary School welcomed most of the first grade students in the county, registering 159 students.

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

Statewide, Hardin County ranked sixth in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked sixth 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
G. C. Burkhead Elementary School	159	16.9%	939
Woodland Elementary School	151	24.7%	612
Radcliff Elementary School	125	25.3%	495
Vine Grove Elementary School	115	20.1%	571
Helmwood Heights Elementary School	111	24.7%	450
Meadow View Elementary School	110	19.2%	573
Morningside Elementary School	107	21.1%	507
Heartland Elementary School	104	16.3%	637
Lincoln Trail Elementary School	100	16%	625
New Highland Elementary School	92	15.7%	587
Rineyville Elementary School	91	15.7%	581
Creekside Elementary School	81	16.6%	489
Lakewood Elementary School	71	14.1%	504
Cecilia Valley Elementary School	70	14.6%	478
College View Campus	4	0.5%	818
Valley View Education Center	1	1.2%	80