Summary:
The Arkansas Arts Academy district serves 945 students across two schools: an elementary school (grades K-6) and a high school (grades 7-12), both located in Springdale, Arkansas. This arts-focused district is a standout performer statewide, ranking in the 85th percentile and earning a 4-star rating.
The Arkansas Arts Academy High School is the district's clear star, consistently ranking in the 95th percentile or higher over the last three years and achieving a #1 state ranking for the 2024-2025 school year. It dramatically outperforms state averages in Biology (75.8% proficient vs. 42.7%) and Geometry (49.1% vs. 26.4%), proving that an arts integration model can coexist with STEM excellence. The high school also boasts an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7:1, a 91.2% graduation rate, and a 0.2% dropout rate. In contrast, the Arkansas Arts Academy Elementary School is a strong, above-average school that excels in English Language Arts (50.6% vs. 39.4% state) and Science (54.5% vs. 44% state), but struggles in Mathematics (36.2% vs. 44.1% state), a clear area for improvement.
A key takeaway is the divergence in math performance between the two schools. While the elementary school is below state average in all math grades, the high school is below average in Algebra (26.4% vs. 36.9% state) but dramatically above average in Geometry, suggesting students may excel in spatial reasoning tied to the arts. The high school also spends significantly more per student ($14,889 vs. $11,297), likely funding its low class sizes and specialized arts programs. However, the elementary school's state ranking has declined from the 87th to the 66th percentile over three years, a trend worth monitoring for parents considering the district.
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