Hopkinsville Times

There were 632 fifth grade students enrolled in Christian County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 12.1% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Millbrooke Elementary School welcomed most of the fifth grade students in the county, registering 86 students.

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

Statewide, Christian County ranked 16th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 16th 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
Millbrooke Elementary School	86	11.6%	743
South Christian Elementary School	83	11.2%	742
Pembroke Elementary School	81	10.4%	779
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School	75	11.3%	666
Indian Hills Elementary School	69	10.6%	648
Freedom Elementary School	66	9.8%	671
Sinking Fork Elementary School	63	13.3%	472
Crofton Elementary School	57	12.7%	450
Cumberland Hall School	37	5.4%	691
Christian County Public Schools Virtual Learning Academy	15	6.3%	238