Elizabethtown Times

There were 1,475 sixth grade students enrolled in Hardin County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 5.6% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

East Hardin Middle School welcomed most of the sixth grade students in the county, registering 289 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 6th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
East Hardin Middle School	289	34.7%	833
James T. Alton Middle School	241	33.2%	726
Bluegrass Middle School	238	35.7%	667
North Middle School	233	35.4%	658
Talton K. Stone Middle School	216	37%	583
West Hardin Middle School	163	28.8%	566
Lincoln Trail Behavioral Health Systems	49	7.6%	646
College View Campus	43	5.3%	818
Spectrum Care Academy	3	30%	10