Cedarville High School

Cedarville High School is a small, rural school in Cedarville, AR, serving approximately 250 students in grades 9-12 within the Cedarville School District. The most remarkable story here is the school's dramatic turnaround: after years of stagnant ratings, it has achieved back-to-back 4-star ratings, jumping from the 34th to the 84th percentile in state rankings. This is especially impressive given that nearly all students (98.8%) come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, a rate far higher than nearby high-performing schools like Alma High School (41.9%) or Southside High School (48.27%).

Cedarville stands out for its exceptional performance in STEM subjects, particularly Biology, where 62% of students are proficient—the highest rate among all comprehensive high schools in the area and well above the state average of 42.7%. The school also performs above the state average in Algebra (38.4% vs. 36.9%). However, Geometry remains a challenge, with proficiency rates that have been volatile. When compared to other high-poverty schools like Mountainburg High School (97.3% free/reduced lunch) or Future School Of Fort Smith (100%), Cedarville significantly outperforms them in test scores and has a much higher graduation rate (91.5% vs. 82% and 89%, respectively).

With a low student-teacher ratio of 10.1:1 and higher per-student spending ($16,413) than larger districts like Fort Smith School District ($12,816), Cedarville provides a personalized learning environment that supports its high-need population. The school's graduation rate has remained stable and above the state average for five years, suggesting that its academic improvements are sustainable. For parents, Cedarville represents a school that has not only overcome significant challenges but is now a standout example of how targeted resources and effective strategies can drive success, even in a rural, high-poverty setting.