McDougle Elementary is named after Charles and Lucille McDougle. Charles McDougle was a teacher, principal and central office administrator in a career that spanned over forty years. Lucile McDougle was an elementary and high school teacher for over forty years. McDougle Elementary opened in August 20, 1996.

McDougle Elementary School shares a campus with its sister school, McDougle Middle School which opened in 1994. Students entering McDougle Elementary in its first year chose the dolphin as the school's mascot, and blue and silver as the school's colors.