The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in Math. The lowest is 22% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Mclean County Middle School
McLean County Middle School serves sixth through eighth grade in Calhoun, Kentucky, as a regular public school within the McLean County district. It is the only middle school in this small, rural county, drawing students from a region that is both geographically compact and sparsely populated. The school's academic results from the most recent state assessments present a mixed picture. In math, performance varies noticeably by grade: seventh graders reached proficiency at a rate well above half, while sixth and eighth graders hovered around the halfway mark. English language arts followed a similar pattern, with sixth graders showing the strongest results, seventh graders close behind, and eighth graders below half. Science, tested only in seventh grade, saw a small share of students meeting the proficiency bar, and eighth grade social studies fell short of majority proficiency. A parent may want to look into the science and social studies outcomes further with the school to understand curriculum and support.
The student body is modest in size for a middle school. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic profile of the area. Racially, the school is overwhelmingly white, with small numbers of Hispanic, Asian, Black, and multiracial students. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not available, leaving a gap for families who need to know about special education or language support services.
Calhoun, the county seat where the school is located, is a very small rural town on the north bank of the Green River. Its population has been declining over recent years, and the median age is notably high, pointing to a stable, aging community rather than a growing one. Kentucky Route 81 runs as Main Street through town, connecting it north to Owensboro and south to Central City. The courthouse, city hall, and the Army Corps of Engineers' Lock and Dam on the Green River serve as the primary civic anchors. Commercial activity is limited, and the built environment is low-density and auto-oriented. There is no public transit system. The town's participation in Kentucky's Renaissance on Main Street program suggests past downtown revitalization efforts, but no recent development or housing projects were identified in publicly available sources.
Housing values in the area are well below state and national averages, making the community relatively affordable. The estimated monthly mortgage payment on a typical home is modest, and rent consumes a small share of median income. However, home values have declined over the recent year, a signal worth noting for families considering a move. The broader economic context shows a typical unemployment rate and median household income that aligns with national figures, but the local economy offers few major employers beyond county government and small-scale agriculture.
No recent district-level changes were found in web research, and the comparison with other districts within McLean County was not possible because the county contains only a single district. The overall picture is of a small, rural middle school serving a declining town, with academic results that are strongest in English and math for some grade levels, weaker in science and social studies, and a student population facing above-average economic need. Families looking at this school will want to assess the academic support available for the subjects where proficiency is lower and confirm that the school can meet any specific learning or language needs given the absence of reported data.
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