Summary:
The Maynard School District in Maynard, Arkansas, serves 594 students across two schools: Maynard Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Maynard High School (7th through 12th grade), with nearly all students (over 98%) facing economic disadvantage.
Maynard High School is the district's standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide—a remarkable jump from the 45th percentile just two years prior. Its success is driven by an extraordinarily low student-teacher ratio of 3.4:1, allowing for intensive, personalized instruction. The high school excels in Science (50.5% proficient vs. 44% state average) and English Language Arts (42.1% vs. 39.4% state), with 10th graders achieving 56.2% proficiency in Biology, over 21 points above the state average. In contrast, Maynard Elementary School holds a 1-star rating and ranks in the 25th percentile, but shows a unique strength in Mathematics (39.3% proficient), particularly in 5th grade where 53.5% of students are proficient—8.5 points above the state average. However, this math success drops sharply in 6th grade to just 23.9% proficiency, suggesting a curriculum or instructional gap.
A key paradox emerges: the elementary school is stronger in math than reading, while the high school is stronger in reading than math. The high school's low dropout rate (0.8%) and higher spending per student ($13,662 vs. $11,835 at the elementary school) further highlight its effectiveness. Despite near-universal poverty, the high school's rapid improvement and strong science program make it a beacon of success, while the elementary school's math performance offers a foundation to build upon for future growth.
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