Elizabethtown Times

There were 1,253 fifth grade students enrolled in Hardin County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 10.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

G. C. Burkhead Elementary School welcomed most of the fifth grade students in the county, registering 128 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 5th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
G. C. Burkhead Elementary School	128	13.6%	939
Vine Grove Elementary School	106	18.6%	571
Woodland Elementary School	102	16.7%	612
Morningside Elementary School	98	19.3%	507
Lincoln Trail Elementary School	98	15.7%	625
Heartland Elementary School	94	14.8%	637
Meadow View Elementary School	90	15.7%	573
Rineyville Elementary School	87	15%	581
Radcliff Elementary School	84	17%	495
Lakewood Elementary School	75	14.9%	504
New Highland Elementary School	75	12.8%	587
Helmwood Heights Elementary School	71	15.8%	450
Creekside Elementary School	62	12.7%	489
Cecilia Valley Elementary School	53	11.1%	478
College View Campus	15	1.8%	818
Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health Systems	14	2.2%	646
Spectrum Care Academy	1	10%	10