Summary:
The two public schools serving Bigelow, Arkansas—Anne Watson Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Bigelow High School (7th through 12th grade)—are part of the highly-rated East End School District, which ranks in the 84th percentile statewide.
Anne Watson Elementary School is the standout, showing a dramatic turnaround. Its state ranking soared from the 46th percentile to the 75th percentile in just one year, and it now outperforms both the district and state averages in every core subject. For example, 65% of students are proficient in math compared to 44.1% statewide, and 3rd graders achieve an extraordinary 82.2% proficiency in English Language Arts. This is especially impressive given that over 72% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a common measure of economic disadvantage. In contrast, Bigelow High School is a solid, steadily improving school, moving from the 59th to the 72nd percentile over three years. It boasts a very low dropout rate of just 0.9% and excels in advanced subjects, with 8th graders achieving 92.8% proficiency in Algebra.
A key takeaway is the "middle school dip" in performance. At the elementary school, 3rd graders hit 82.2% in ELA, but by 6th grade that drops to 40%, a trend that continues into high school. This suggests a critical transition period where students may need extra support. Interestingly, the high school spends $1,858 more per student and has a much lower student-teacher ratio (7.4:1 vs. 15.4:1) than the elementary school, yet the elementary school achieves superior academic results with fewer resources. A notable weakness for the high school is Geometry, where only 21.1% of students are proficient, well below the state average, signaling a clear area for targeted improvement.
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