Jackson Purchase News

There were 624 preschool students enrolled in McCracken County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 14.5% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Paducah Head Start Preschool welcomed most of the preschool students in the county, registering 276 students.

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

Statewide, McCracken County ranked 13th in enrollment numbers. It was also ranked 13th 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 Preschool Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Paducah Head Start Preschool	276	100%	276
Reidland Elementary School	101	15.8%	641
Lone Oak Elementary School	78	13.7%	568
Hendron Lone Oak Elementary School	62	11.4%	543
Concord Elementary School	59	8.8%	668
Heath Elementary School	48	9.4%	513