Metro Lex News

There were 792 ninth grade students enrolled in Jessamine County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 4.7% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

East Jessamine High School welcomed most of the ninth grade students in the county, registering 371 students.

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

Statewide, Jessamine County ranked 20th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 20th 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 9th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
East Jessamine High School	371	29.6%	1,254
West Jessamine High School	363	26.6%	1,364
The Providence School	48	23.2%	207
Ashgrove Academy	10	38.5%	26