A.W. James Elementary

Set in DREW, Mississippi, A.W. James Elementary is a modestly sized elementary campus, part of Sunflower County Consolidated School District. It works with 219 students across grades pre-K through 5. Compared to the state average of about 446 students per school, that is 51% below typical.

Across the 11 schools in Sunflower County Consolidated School District (2,807 students total), A.W. James Elementary accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, A.W. James Elementary records that the student body is overwhelmingly Black (95%). Other groups include 3% Hispanic. That is considerably more Black than the county at large, where the share is closer to 73%.

In terms of school funding signals, Staff filings list 17 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 12.7:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 15.9:1, putting A.W. James Elementary tighter than the state norm the norm. Roughly 100% of students at A.W. James Elementary qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a commonly cited indicator of low-income enrollment.

In the broader community, ACS estimates for Sunflower County put median household earnings sit near $39,956, roughly 16% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 22%. In all, Sunflower County runs 13 public schools (combined enrollment of about 2,807 students), of which A.W. James Elementary is one.

Nearest neighbor: Drew Hunter Middle, around 0.9 miles off. Within ten miles, there are 4 other public schools, a sparser pattern than typical urban areas.

The campus sits in a countryside setting.

Trend over the last 7 years. A.W. James Elementary's enrollment has edged down 28% since 2018, when it stood at 305 (now 219). The White share of enrollment declined from 5% to 0% over that span. Class-load math has fell: from 16.9:1 in 2018 to 12.7:1 in 2025.

Within the allk12 community for this school, the feed for A.W. James Elementary typically covers school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. Parents, students, alumni, and staff are welcome to weigh in.