MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a middle-of-the-pack primary school in MCGEHEE, Arkansas, part of MCGEHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT. The school caters to 547 students in grades pre-K through 5. By comparison, Arkansas's public schools average about 418 students each, so MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sits 31% above that benchmark.

Across the 3 schools in MCGEHEE SCHOOL DISTRICT (1,121 students total), MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

For racial and ethnic makeup, MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL shows that the largest single group is White at 51%, but no single group is in the majority; the rest reads as 37% Black, 6% multiracial, 5% Hispanic.

Looking at school resources, MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL logs 37 full-time-equivalent teachers, putting the student-to-teacher ratio at about 14.7:1. The state averages around 16.0:1, so this campus is tighter than the state norm typical. An estimated 100% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, a number frequently used as a low-income enrollment indicator.

With demographic context factored in, MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL sits in the top 10% of Arkansas schools after the BeatsExpectations adjustment. Predicted proficiency for the school's FRL share is roughly 22.3%; actual is 37.4%, +15.1 points clear of the demographic baseline.

Across the wider county, ACS estimates for Desha County put median household income runs about $37,662, 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate sits near 20%. In all, Desha County runs 7 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,160 students), of which MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is one.

The closest other public school is MCGEHEE HIGH SCHOOL, roughly 1.6 miles away. Within five miles, there are 2 other public schools. Ranking that nearby cluster on reported proficiency puts MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at 1st of 8; the average score across the group is 16.3%.

The school occupies a small-town site.

Over the past 7-year window. Looking back 7 years, enrollment at MCGEHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has declined 25%, going from 730 students in 2018 to 547 in 2025. The Black share of enrollment declined from 47% to 37% over that span. The student-to-teacher ratio widened from 13.3:1 in 2018 to 14.7:1 today.

In the discussion threads here, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around classroom updates, athletics, and weather closures. Members of the school community can share what they know.