Summary:
The city of Ashdown, Arkansas, is served by the Ashdown School District, which includes three public schools—Ashdown Elementary School (grades K-5), Ashdown Junior High School (grades 6-8), and Ashdown High School (grades 9-12)—serving a total of 1,281 students in a community where about 70% of students are economically disadvantaged.
Ashdown Junior High School stands out as the district's strongest performer, ranking in the 45th percentile among Arkansas middle schools for the 2025-2026 school year. It leads the district in reading (37.8% proficient), math (37.3%), and science (42.1%), and has shown consistent improvement in its state ranking over the past three years. In contrast, Ashdown High School faces the biggest academic challenges, with the lowest proficiency rates across nearly all subjects—including a concerning 10.1% in Geometry—yet it boasts a strong 91.4% graduation rate and a very low 0.7% dropout rate. Ashdown Elementary School falls in the middle, ranking in the 37th percentile among elementary schools, but has a notable bright spot: its 5th-grade science proficiency rate of 56.4% far exceeds the state average of 43.8%.
A key takeaway is that spending does not directly predict success. The Junior High spends the most per student ($14,999) and performs best, while the High School spends $13,464 per student but has the lowest scores. The Elementary School spends the least ($11,048) and has the highest student-teacher ratio (18.2:1). Additionally, a concerning "8th-grade slump" is evident at the Junior High, where proficiency rates in English, reading, and science drop sharply compared to 6th and 7th grades, suggesting a need for targeted support during the transition to high school-level work. Overall, the district consistently underperforms state averages in core subjects, but pockets of strength and improvement offer hope for future growth.
Thank you for your feedback!