At a glance
Reported students
511
NCES CCD 2024–25
Teachers (FTE)
27
NCES CCD 2024–25
Student–teacher ratio
18.9:1
Calculated; not a class-size measure
Grades served
PK–05
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
School benchmarks
Alabama elementary enrollment
60th percentile
Compared with 696 same-level schools reporting enrollment.
District median enrollment
463
McDonnell Elementary School: 511 reported students.
State peer staffing position
84th percentile
18.9:1 reported; state peer median 16.9:1. Ratio is not class size.
Historical enrollment and staffing · CRDC 2021–22
These older figures are kept separate from 2024–25 statistics and benchmarks. Differences between years can reflect changes in enrollment, staffing, or reporting scope.
- Students
- 433
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Student–teacher ratio
- 12.4:1
What the reported data says about McDonnell Elementary School
McDonnell Elementary School is a public elementary school serving grades PK–05 in Huntsville. It is one of 45 current school records connected to Huntsville City. NCES reports 511 students for 2024–25.
Among 696 elementary schools in Alabama with comparable records, this school is close in size to the reported median of 471 students. Its enrollment is at approximately the 60th percentile for that peer group. Size describes the campus, not instructional quality.
The reported student–teacher ratio is 18.9:1, above the Alabama median of 16.9:1 for the same school level. This ratio uses total enrollment and teacher FTE; it is not an average classroom headcount and can be affected by special programs or part-time staffing.
The largest reported race and ethnicity groups are Hispanic or Latino (61.8%) and Black (24.5%). English learners represent 41.3% of enrollment. Students served under IDEA represent 9%. These figures help families understand who the school serves; they are not rating inputs.
The 2021–22 civil-rights collection reports gifted and talented programming. Program availability changes, so families should confirm the current catalog and participation rules directly with the school.
Questions worth asking McDonnell Elementary School
- 1How do the reported 18.9:1 student–teacher ratio and 27 teacher FTE translate into actual class sizes by grade?
- 2Which advanced, gifted, career, arts, and computer-science courses are available this year, and how do students qualify?
- 3What counseling support is available today? The school reported 0 counselor FTE in 2021–22.
- 4Does community eligibility provide breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, and are summer meals available?
Enrollment needs
- English learners
- 41.3%
- Students with disabilities
- 9%
- Free/reduced-price lunch
- 66.5%
- Lunch program
- Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Reported support staff
- Counselors (FTE)
- 0
- Nurses (FTE)
- 1
- Psychologists (FTE)
- 0
- Social workers (FTE)
- 0
CRDC 2021–22 full-time-equivalent counts; verify current assignments with the school.
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White10%
- Hispanic61.8%
- Black24.5%
- Asian1%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.4%
- Multiracial2.3%
Race/ethnicity: NCES CCD 2024–25. English learner and disability context: CRDC 2021–22. Lunch eligibility: NCES CCD 2024–25. Privacy rules can produce missing values.
Programs reported by the school
Gifted and talented
Offered
CRDC 2021–22: the AP flag records student enrollment; gifted and computer-science fields describe reported programs/classes. Confirm current courses and eligibility with the school.
Other schools in Huntsville City
Start with campuses at the same school level or with similar reported enrollment.
Challenger Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
491 reported students
Morris Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
532 reported students
Williams Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
484 reported students
Rolling Hills Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
483 reported students
Weatherly Heights Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–05
472 reported students
Jones Valley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–06
471 reported students
Public schools near McDonnell Elementary School
Closest campuses by straight-line distance between NCES geocodes, favoring the same school level. Distance is not drive time or an attendance assignment.
| School | Grades | Students | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgecrest Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 463 | 0.9 mi |
| Morris Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 532 | 1.9 mi |
| Whitesburg Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 379 | 2.9 mi |
| Sonnie Hereford Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–06 | 578 | 3 mi |
| Roger B Chaffee Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–05 | 396 | 3.4 mi |
| Jones Valley Elementary School Elementary · Huntsville City | PK–06 | 471 | 3.5 mi |
Frequently asked questions about McDonnell Elementary School
What grades does McDonnell Elementary School serve?
McDonnell Elementary School reports grades PK–05 in the NCES 2025–26 preliminary directory. It is classified as an elementary school in Huntsville City.
How many students attend McDonnell Elementary School?
McDonnell Elementary School reported 511 students in the NCES 2024–25 membership file. That places it near the 60th percentile among 696 Alabama elementary schools reporting enrollment. The 2021–22 civil-rights collection recorded 433 students.
What is the student–teacher ratio at McDonnell Elementary School?
The calculated ratio is 18.9:1, based on 511 students and 27 full-time-equivalent classroom teachers in 2024–25. The Alabama median for the same school level is 16.9:1. A ratio is not the same as average class size.
Is McDonnell Elementary School a public, charter, or magnet school?
McDonnell Elementary School is a public school and is not a charter school. Enrollment is generally based on Huntsville City attendance boundaries and transfer rules.
What share of McDonnell Elementary School students qualify for free or reduced-price meals?
66.5% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch in 2024–25. The school participates in community eligibility, which can provide meals to every student and changes how eligibility is reported. This describes the students served and is not a quality measure.
Which school district is McDonnell Elementary School in?
McDonnell Elementary School is part of Huntsville City, based in Huntsville, AL, which operates 45 current schools. Confirm attendance zones and enrollment rules with the district.
What public schools are near McDonnell Elementary School?
The closest public schools by straight-line distance include Ridgecrest Elementary School (0.9 mi), Morris Elementary School (1.9 mi), Whitesburg Elementary School (2.9 mi). Distance does not determine eligibility; attendance boundaries and program rules do.