Summary:
There is one middle school, Westside Middle School, serving grades 5 through 7 in the WESTSIDE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT (Craighead), a district located in Craighead County, Arkansas.
Westside Middle School is a clear academic standout, outperforming the state average in every subject and grade level tested during the 2025-2026 school year. The school is particularly strong in Mathematics, where 5th graders achieved a remarkable 71.1% proficiency rate—26 percentage points higher than the state average. Overall, the school’s proficiency rates are 42.7% in English Language Arts, 44.8% in Reading, 53.1% in Mathematics, and 53.8% in Science, all above the state averages. This performance is especially impressive given that nearly 60% of its 414 students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a common measure of economic disadvantage. The school also boasts a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 and spends $12,100 per student.
The most compelling story is the school’s dramatic year-over-year improvement. From the 2024-2025 school year to 2025-2026, overall Mathematics proficiency jumped from 37.8% to 53.1%, and Science soared from 37.2% to 53.8%. This rapid turnaround propelled the school’s state ranking from the 49th percentile to the 69th percentile (100th out of 327 schools). However, a notable finding is the "5th Grade Effect"—the 5th-grade cohort significantly outperforms the 6th and 7th grades in all subjects, suggesting either an exceptionally strong incoming class or a highly effective 5th-grade teaching team. This pattern warrants attention to ensure all grade levels maintain the same high standards.
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