Summary:
The city of Strawberry, Arkansas, is served by the Hillcrest School District, which contains two public schools—Hillcrest Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Hillcrest High School (7th through 12th grade)—with a total enrollment of 442 students in a small, rural community.
Hillcrest Elementary School is the standout in the district, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year. It consistently outperforms state averages in all subjects, with particular strength in Science (65.5% proficient vs. 44% state) and Mathematics. The school has shown an upward trend in its ranking over the past three years. In contrast, Hillcrest High School has a 2-star rating and ranks in the 33rd percentile, with a declining trend. While the high school excels in general Mathematics (64.1% proficient) and Science (61.1% proficient), it struggles significantly in English Language Arts (34.9% proficient) and advanced math subjects like Algebra (25.9%) and Geometry (11.5%). This creates a "tale of two schools" dynamic, where students leaving a strong elementary program enter a high school with clear areas for improvement.
Key metrics highlight a paradox: the high school has an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 3.6:1 and spends $17,001 per student, yet its academic performance in core subjects lags behind the state. The elementary school, with a higher ratio of 15.1:1 and lower spending of $15,530 per student, achieves better results. Both schools serve a high-poverty population, with over 78% of students eligible for free/reduced lunch. The high school’s dropout rate is very low at 0.5%. A critical takeaway is the "advanced math cliff," where high school students perform well in general math but drop sharply in Algebra and Geometry, signaling a need for targeted intervention. Overall, the district shows strong STEM foundations but must address the high school’s declining performance and literacy gaps.
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