11 African American students enrolled in Highlands Middle School in 2022-23 school year

There were 11 African American students enrolled in Highlands Middle School in the 2022-23 school year, 120% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Data showed that Highlands Middle School welcomed 746 students during the 2022-23 school year. Among them, African American students comprised 1.5% of the student body to be the fourth most represented ethnicity in the school.

The school is located in Fort Thomas Independent School District with a central office in Fort Thomas.

Among the five schools in Fort Thomas Independent School District, Highlands High School recorded the highest enrollment of African American students in the 2022-23 school year, with a total of 12 students.

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.