Jackson Purchase News

There were 874 seventh grade students enrolled in McCracken County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 7.2% more than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Lone Oak Middle School welcomed most of the seventh grade students in the county, registering 294 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 7th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Lone Oak Middle School	294	35.1%	837
Paducah Middle School	259	36.1%	717
Heath Middle School	143	32.4%	442
Reidland Middle School	119	33.4%	356
McCracken Regional School	23	6.5%	355
McCracken Open Campus School	22	7.9%	279
Choices Educational Center	14	10.9%	128