Jackson Purchase News

There were 707 third grade students enrolled in McCracken County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 8.3% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Reidland Elementary School welcomed most of the third grade students in the county, registering 128 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 3rd Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Reidland Elementary School	128	20%	641
Hendron Lone Oak Elementary School	114	21%	543
Lone Oak Elementary School	102	18%	568
Clark Elementary School	89	13.7%	649
Concord Elementary School	88	13.2%	668
Morgan Elementary School	66	15.9%	415
Heath Elementary School	64	12.5%	513
McNabb Elementary School	56	15.6%	360