Best Public Schools in Monticello, AR

The city of Monticello, Arkansas, is served by 8 public schools across three districts—the Drew Central School District, the Monticello School District, and the Division Of Youth Services School System—covering elementary through high school grades, with a high level of economic disadvantage across the community.

For parents comparing districts, the Drew Central schools generally outperform Monticello schools, especially in STEM subjects. Drew Central High School stands out for its strong improvement, rising from the 24th to the 47th percentile in state rankings, and it beats state averages in Algebra, Geometry, and Biology despite 99% of students being economically disadvantaged. Its middle school, Drew Central Middle School, is exceptional in advanced math, with 93.3% of 8th graders proficient in Algebra. In contrast, Monticello High School ranks in the 10th percentile and struggles significantly, with only 5.2% proficient in Algebra. However, Monticello Intermediate School is a bright spot within its district, exceeding state math averages in 4th and 5th grades. Both traditional high schools have graduation rates above the state average, with Monticello High at 94.8% and Drew Central High at 92.3%.

A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better results—Monticello Elementary School spends the most per student ($14,854) but lacks test data, while Drew Central High spends a similar amount and performs much better. The specialized Arkansas Consolidate High School - Vera Lloyd serves only 10 students with a very low student-teacher ratio of 3.7, but its test scores are extremely low, reflecting its unique role within the youth services system rather than typical school performance. Overall, the Drew Central district shows a clear "advantage" in math and science, making it a strong choice for families prioritizing STEM education.