Best Public Schools in Augusta, AR

The city of Augusta, Arkansas, is served by the Augusta School District, which includes two public schools—Augusta Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Augusta High School (7th through 12th grade)—with a total enrollment of 329 students. A defining characteristic of this small, rural district is that 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting significant economic challenges. The district ranks in the 14th percentile statewide, earning a 1-star rating.

Comparing the two schools reveals a striking contrast. Augusta High School stands out for its extremely low student-to-teacher ratio of 3.2:1, which appears to drive better academic outcomes than the elementary school. For instance, the high school outperforms the elementary school in all "All Grades" subjects, with Reading proficiency at 31.6% versus 11.9%. The 7th-grade class is a particular bright spot, achieving proficiency rates in English Language Arts (39.3%) and Reading (42.8%) that meet or exceed state averages. However, the high school also has severe weaknesses, such as 10th-grade English Language Arts proficiency at just 8.4%. In contrast, Augusta Elementary School consistently struggles, ranking in the 8th percentile of Arkansas elementary schools, though its 6th-grade math class is a notable exception, with 46.7% proficiency—above the state average of 45.1%.

Key metrics highlight a spending paradox: the elementary school spends $20,002 per student, $3,461 more than the high school, yet achieves lower test scores. This suggests that the high school's investment in a low student-teacher ratio yields better results. The district's graduation rate is 86.9%, below the state average, but its dropout rate is a very low 0.6%. The most important takeaway for parents is that Augusta High School offers a highly personalized learning environment that can produce standout results, especially in 7th grade, while Augusta Elementary School has a single, replicable success in 6th-grade math that could be a model for improvement.