Summary:
The Blevins School District is a small, rural district in Arkansas serving approximately 379 students across two schools: Randy Hughes Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Blevins High School (7th through 12th grade), with the district ranking in the bottom 2nd percentile statewide and facing significant challenges tied to high economic disadvantage, where 83-89% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Comparing the two schools reveals contrasting trends. Randy Hughes Elementary School shows a positive trajectory, with its state ranking improving from the 13th percentile to the 5th percentile over recent years, and it posted notably higher proficiency in Math (28.3%) and Science (20.2%) than the high school. In contrast, Blevins High School is on a sharp decline, dropping from the 34th percentile (2 stars) to the 7th percentile (0 stars) in just two years, with a graduation rate of 81.2%—well below the state average of 90.1%. Despite spending $15,705 per student and having an enviable student-teacher ratio of 4.4:1, the high school’s overall proficiency in English Language Arts (12.7%), Math (14.0%), and Science (16.2%) is roughly one-third of state averages, pointing to deep-rooted challenges beyond funding or class size.
Two standout data points highlight areas for potential intervention. First, a remarkable 40% proficiency rate in 9th-grade Biology at Blevins High School—far above the school’s other scores—suggests a pocket of excellence that could be replicated. Second, a critical literacy crisis is evident with a 0% proficiency rate in 8th-grade Reading, indicating a foundational breakdown at that grade level. The district’s low dropout rate of 0.5% is commendable, but the overall picture underscores the need for targeted strategies to address these academic gaps, especially at the secondary level.
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