Elizabethtown Times

There were 1,363 third grade students enrolled in Hardin County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

G. C. Burkhead Elementary School welcomed most of the third grade students in the county, registering 133 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 3rd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
G. C. Burkhead Elementary School	133	14.2%	939
Meadow View Elementary School	129	22.5%	573
Morningside Elementary School	113	22.3%	507
Vine Grove Elementary School	110	19.3%	571
Woodland Elementary School	101	16.5%	612
Heartland Elementary School	101	15.9%	637
New Highland Elementary School	98	16.7%	587
Radcliff Elementary School	97	19.6%	495
Rineyville Elementary School	97	16.7%	581
Helmwood Heights Elementary School	92	20.4%	450
Lakewood Elementary School	89	17.7%	504
Lincoln Trail Elementary School	89	14.2%	625
Creekside Elementary School	57	11.7%	489
Cecilia Valley Elementary School	50	10.5%	478
College View Campus	4	0.5%	818
Valley View Education Center	2	2.5%	80
Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health Systems	1	0.2%	646