Summary:
The Ouachita River School District in Arkansas is home to a single high school, Acorn High School, which serves grades 7 through 12 with a total enrollment of 281 students. This small school has emerged as a standout performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 80th percentile statewide (60th out of 293 schools) for the 2025-2026 school year, a dramatic leap from the 57th percentile just one year prior.
Acorn High School excels in several key areas, particularly in Science and English Language Arts, where it significantly outperforms state averages. For instance, 53.2% of students are proficient in Science (vs. 44% statewide) and 45.5% in English Language Arts (vs. 39.4% statewide). The school also boasts an impressive 94.3% graduation rate, well above the state average of 90.1%, and a very low dropout rate of just 0.7%. A major asset is its exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, which allows for personalized attention and likely contributes to its success despite 64.77% of students being economically disadvantaged.
However, the school shows a clear academic split: while it is a powerhouse in Science and Biology, it struggles in Mathematics, particularly in Geometry where only 22.4% of students are proficient (vs. 26.4% statewide). The 7th-grade cohort is a notable anomaly, achieving proficiency rates over 22 points higher than the state in both English Language Arts and Science. Overall, Acorn High School is a rapidly improving institution that offers a strong, supportive environment, though parents should be aware of the need for targeted math support, especially in Geometry.
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