MCCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky. — Paducah Tilghman is seeing a big bump in enrollment. Administration attributes the increase to a number of factors, but some parents say they simply can't afford the drive to the new consolidated county high school.

The McCracken County High School sits in the western part of the county but for some, it's a long way from home. The new, consolidated school is a little less than six miles from Heath High School. It's about seven miles from Lone Oak High School, but it's 18.5 miles away from Reidland High.

Parents like Tami Miller said the drive to McCracken County High School is just too far.

"That makes it hard on some of the parents. A lot don't have money to do that. That's why I'm glad we moved to this district so she can go to Paducah Tilghman."

Miller's daughter is part of an influx of students headed to Tilghman this school year.
Compared to last year, Principal Art Davis said he expects about 150 more kids in these halls.

"Yes, our numbers are increasing. I can say that. We'll be around 850 at the  beginning of September and that's a good thing. We have plenty of room," said Davis.

The new students aren't all transfers from Reidland. Davis said the kids are coming from everywhere, because of the open enrollment system. But that's the same reason a good number are coming out of the county.

Miller said, "Even if we move to the Reidland area, I think they wouldn't have a problem with me filling out the paperwork and going on and letting her finish out her last few years here."

There is an application process for students who want to attend a different school than they're zoned for. There is no fee or tuition associated with it but the school system does not always provide transportation.