High Schools in Emerson Taylor Bradley School District

The Emerson Taylor Bradley School District in Arkansas is home to three small high schools—Taylor High School, Bradley High School, and Emerson High School—serving grades 7 through 12 with enrollments ranging from 136 to 264 students. The district ranks 46th out of 251 in the state, earning a 4-star rating, but the schools themselves show significant variation in performance and resources.

Emerson High School is the district's rising star, jumping from a 4-star to a 5-star rating and now ranking 12th in the state. It excels in Mathematics and Biology, with a 72.7% proficiency rate in 8th-grade math and a 68.2% proficiency rate in Biology, both well above state averages. However, it also has the highest dropout rate at 3.6%, a potential concern. Taylor High School is the most consistent performer, maintaining a 5-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking 16th in the state. It boasts the highest graduation rate (92.1%) and the lowest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (32.58%), indicating less economic disadvantage. Bradley High School presents a paradox: despite a 3-star rating and the lowest overall rank (102nd), it achieves standout results in Algebra (52.9% proficiency) and Biology (31.6% proficiency), while also having the lowest dropout rate (0.6%). It serves the most economically disadvantaged population (69.39% free/reduced lunch) and receives the highest per-student funding ($13,948).

A key takeaway is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: Bradley gets the most funding but ranks lowest, while Taylor gets the least funding but ranks highest. This suggests the district strategically allocates resources to the neediest school, though funding alone doesn't guarantee top results. Across the district, science is a consistent strength, with all three schools outperforming the state average in Biology. Economic factors also correlate with overall rankings, as schools with lower economic disadvantage tend to achieve higher ratings. For parents, this district offers a range of options: Emerson for rapid academic growth, Taylor for steady excellence, and Bradley for specialized strengths in math and science despite broader challenges.