The top reported proficiency rate is 52% in Math. The lowest is 41% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Lee Hunter Elem.
Lee Hunter Elementary is a regular public school serving first through fourth grade in Sikeston, as part of the Sikeston R-6 School District. It is a straightforward neighborhood elementary school with a specific grade-band focus, and the data provides a clear picture of who attends and how students perform on state assessments.
The school's enrollment is concentrated in the primary grades. The student body is predominantly white, with a substantial Black student population and a smaller share of students identifying as two or more races or Hispanic. The most pronounced characteristic of the school’s population is economic: nearly every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. For a family evaluating this school, that context matters for understanding the resources and support the school community brings.
State testing data from the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) is available for third and fourth grade in both math and English language arts. Math proficiency is the relative strength. In both tested grades, the share of students scoring proficient or above is higher than the share in English language arts, and the school’s overall performance in math across tested subjects and grades places it in the top quartile among Scott County districts. English language arts proficiency is lower, with the proportion of students reaching the proficient mark below half in both grades. A parent may want to discuss with the school how foundational reading and writing skills are supported in the early grades and what interventions are in place for students who need additional help. The school’s overall proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades is above the midpoint among its county peers, which puts it in a competitive position for a school serving a high-poverty population.
Because Lee Hunter only serves through fourth grade, it has no graduation rate, chronic absenteeism data, or high school programming to report. The district, Sikeston R-6, operates a Career and Technology Center and covers most of the city limits, but no recent district-level changes were found in a search for information that would affect a family’s day-to-day experience at this school.
The city of Sikeston itself is a mix of residential neighborhoods, a historic downtown with cobblestone streets and specialty shops, and a major commercial corridor along Kingshighway. The built environment is oriented around highway intersections, and the layout is car-dependent. Major employers include Unilever, Missouri Delta Medical Center, and distribution centers like FedEx Ground and Orgill located in a city-developed Business, Education and Technology Park. The city’s population has been slowly declining, and it sustained significant tornado damage in 2024. Housing values are below both the state and national benchmarks, making the area relatively affordable. No data on recent major housing developments was found.
For a family considering this school, the picture is one of a primary-grades building in a mid-sized, car-oriented town with a modest cost of living and a strong manufacturing and distribution employment base. Academically, the school shows a clear strength in elementary math relative to its county peers, while English language arts proficiency is an area where the numbers are softer and worth asking about directly. The economic composition of the student body is a defining characteristic, and a parent should expect that the school’s resources and challenges are shaped by that reality. There are no program offerings or specialized tracks to choose from at this grade level; it is a standard elementary pathway that feeds into the district’s upper-grade schools.
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