McGehee School District

The McGehee School District in Arkansas is a small, unified district serving approximately 1,121 students across three schools: McGehee Elementary School (PK-5), Conner Middle School (6-8), and McGehee High School (9-12), with every student eligible for free or reduced lunch, reflecting significant economic challenges.

McGehee Elementary School stands out as the district's strongest academic performer, being the only school to have achieved a 3-star rating and currently holding a 2-star rating. Its mathematics proficiency rate of 46.7% actually exceeds the state average of 44.1%, making it a bright spot. In contrast, Conner Middle School shows a sharp decline in performance, with proficiency rates in core subjects significantly lower than the elementary school, though it has a notable Algebra I program where 62.6% of 8th graders are proficient—far above the state average of 36.9%. McGehee High School has the lowest test scores in the district but excels in graduation rate at 91.8%, exceeding the state average of 90.1%.

Key metrics reveal a district ranked in the 23rd percentile in Arkansas with a 1-star rating. Per-student spending varies widely, from $12,092 at the middle school to $15,765 at the high school, yet higher spending does not correlate with better outcomes. A positive trend is year-over-year improvement across all schools in English Language Arts and Reading from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, suggesting recent instructional changes are taking effect. The district faces a clear "middle school slump" and a disconnect between advanced Algebra students and those in general math, indicating areas for targeted support.