Jackson Purchase News

There were 885 eighth grade students enrolled in McCracken County schools in the 2022-23 school year, 4.3% less than the previous year, according to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Lone Oak Middle School welcomed most of the eighth grade students in the county, registering 280 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 8th Grade Students Enrolled	% of Student Body	Total Enrollment
Lone Oak Middle School	280	33.5%	837
Paducah Middle School	229	31.9%	717
Heath Middle School	150	33.9%	442
Reidland Middle School	112	31.5%	356
McCracken Regional School	46	13%	355
McCracken Open Campus School	45	16.1%	279
Choices Educational Center	23	18%	128