North Bluegrass News

There were 236 fourth grade students enrolled in Bourbon County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 2.9% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Bourbon Central Elementary School welcomed most of the fourth grade students in the county, registering 94 students.

Within Bourbon County schools, the highest student population was found in preschool, with the smallest class sizes seen in kindergarten.

Statewide, Bourbon County ranked 49th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 49th 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 4th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Bourbon Central Elementary School	94	18.1%	518
Cane Ridge Elementary School	74	14.7%	502
Paris Elementary School	42	12.4%	338
North Middletown Elementary School	26	16.7%	156