Elizabethtown Times

There were 382 kindergarten students enrolled in Meade County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 8.2% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Barry Hahn Primary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 198 students.

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

Statewide, Meade County ranked 31st in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 31st 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
Barry Hahn Primary School	198	22.6%	878
Flaherty Primary School	97	20.3%	479
Ekron Elementary School	49	12.4%	394
Payneville Elementary School	38	14.3%	265