Summary:
Bay High School is the sole high school in the Bay School District, serving grades 7 through 12 with 233 students in a small, rural Arkansas community where nearly half of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Bay High School shows a clear split in academic performance. The school excels in math and science, with Algebra proficiency at 42.9% (above the state average of 36.9%) and 7th-grade Science at 54.6% (well above 44.9% statewide). However, it struggles significantly in English Language Arts, with overall ELA proficiency at just 30.9% compared to the state's 39.4%. Geometry is a persistent weak spot, with only 18.7% of students proficient versus 26.4% statewide. The school's graduation rate of 88.5% is slightly below the state average of 90.1%, but its dropout rate is very low at 0.4%. A standout positive is the school's favorable student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, which allows for more individualized attention than most schools can offer.
Despite mixed test scores, Bay High School has shown strong improvement in its state ranking, jumping from the 21st percentile (1-star) to the 38th percentile (2-star) in just one year. The 7th grade is a particular bright spot, outperforming state averages in ELA, Reading, and Science, suggesting effective instruction at that level. The school's per-student spending of $15,020 is above the national average, reflecting the costs of running a small rural school. For parents, the key takeaway is that Bay High School offers strong STEM programs and a low student-teacher ratio, but families should be aware of the ongoing challenges in English and Geometry that the school is working to address.
Thank you for your feedback!