Calico Rock Elementary School

Calico Rock Elementary School is a small, rural school in Calico Rock, Arkansas, serving 171 students in grades K-6 as part of the Calico Rock School District, which has earned a 4-star rating. The school stands out for its exceptional performance in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, with 48.6% of students proficient in both subjects, surpassing the state average of about 40%. This is particularly impressive given that 98.25% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, a high-needs population. In fact, Calico Rock significantly outperforms nearby Timbo Elementary School, which serves a similarly high-poverty population but achieves only 29.4% proficiency in ELA.

A true "bright spot" is the 3rd-grade class, where 69% of students are proficient in Reading and 65.5% in ELA—dramatically higher than the state averages of 43.1% and 42.9%, respectively. This even exceeds the performance of the region's academic leader, Melbourne Elementary School, which serves a wealthier population but achieves only 54% 3rd-grade reading proficiency. However, the school faces a puzzling decline after 3rd grade: by 4th grade, ELA/Reading proficiency drops to 38.7%, falling below the state average. Additionally, early mathematics is a weakness, with only 34.5% of 3rd graders and 35.5% of 4th graders proficient in math, compared to state averages of 45.5% and 47%.

Despite these challenges, the school's overall trajectory is positive, with three consecutive years of improvement in its state ranking, now at the 63rd percentile. Calico Rock invests heavily in its students, spending $15,722 per pupil—higher than nearby schools like Norfork Elementary School ($12,547)—and maintaining a low student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. This resource-intensive environment suggests a strong commitment to supporting its high-needs student body. The school's primary challenge is to replicate its 3rd-grade reading success across all grades and subjects, particularly in math, to ensure every student continues to thrive.