Summary:
The Forrest City School District in Forrest City, Arkansas, serves approximately 2,500 students across five schools, including two elementary schools (Central Elementary School and Stewart Elementary School), two middle schools (Forrest City Junior High School and Lincoln Academy), and one high school (Forrest City High School). Every student in the district qualifies for free or reduced lunch, highlighting a community facing significant economic challenges.
Among the schools, Forrest City Junior High School stands out as a relative bright spot, earning a 1-star rating and showing a remarkable strength in Algebra—41.7% of its 8th graders are proficient, exceeding the state average of 36.9%. In contrast, Lincoln Academy, the other middle school, spends only $7,149 per student, less than half of the $16,207 spent at the Junior High, yet its test scores are not drastically lower. Forrest City High School has the lowest student-to-teacher ratio in the district at 6.9:1 and a graduation rate of 80.5%, though this is below the state average of 90.1%. Central Elementary School has the highest student-to-teacher ratio at 28.5:1, which may affect individual attention for students.
Overall, the district ranks in the 6th percentile statewide, and proficiency rates in English and math are well below state averages. However, the Algebra success at the Junior High offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that targeted programs can yield strong results even in challenging circumstances. Parents should note the stark differences in spending and class sizes between schools, which may influence their child's educational experience.
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