Jackson Purchase News

There were 350 kindergarten students enrolled in Marshall County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 6.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Benton Elementary School welcomed most of the kindergarten students in the county, registering 84 students.

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

Statewide, Marshall County ranked 36th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 36th 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
Benton Elementary School	84	14.7%	571
Central Elementary School	83	16.2%	511
Sharpe Elementary School	55	16%	344
Calvert City Elementary School	44	14.3%	308
Jonathan Elementary School	42	15.2%	276
South Marshall Elementary School	42	13.5%	311