NC Kentucky News

There were 541 seventh grade students enrolled in Nelson County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 1.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Bardstown Middle School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 196 students.

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

Statewide, Nelson County ranked 23rd in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 23rd 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 7th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Bardstown Middle School	196	32.5%	603
Old Kentucky Home Middle School	134	34.9%	384
Bloomfield Middle School	115	30.7%	375
The New Haven School	45	11%	409
Boston School	34	8.2%	417
The Academy at Horizons	14	12%	117
Bardstown Alternative School	3	3.9%	77