Jackson Purchase News

There were 437 fifth grade students enrolled in Graves County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 3.5% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Mayfield Middle School welcomed most of the fifth grade students in the county, registering 141 students.

Within Graves County schools, the highest student population was found in first grade, with the smallest class sizes seen in 11th grade.

Statewide, Graves County ranked 29th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 29th 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 5th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Mayfield Middle School	141	24.7%	570
Graves County Central Elementary School	67	13%	515
Sedalia Elementary School	51	12.8%	398
Wingo Elementary School	49	10.1%	484
Fancy Farm Elementary School	48	14.6%	329
Symsonia Elementary School	42	10.4%	405
Farmington Elementary School	39	13.6%	287