Conway School District

The Conway School District in Arkansas serves approximately 9,935 students across 15 schools, including nine elementary schools (K-4), four middle schools (5-7), one high school (10-12), and one alternative junior high (8-9), earning a solid 3-star rating overall and ranking 89th out of 251 districts in the state.

For parents, the standout school in the district is Ruth Doyle Middle School, a 5-star school in the 93rd percentile that significantly outperforms all other middle schools in math, reading, and science. At the elementary level, Woodrow Cummins Elementary School and Carolyn Lewis Elementary School are consistent 4-star performers, while Julia Lee Moore Elementary School has historically been a top-tier school but recently dropped to a 3-star rating. On the other end, Ellen Smith Elementary School and Marguerite Vann Elementary School are 1-star schools facing significant challenges, with the lowest proficiency rates in the district. Bob Courtway Middle School is the lowest-ranked middle school at 2 stars, while Conway High School is a solid 4-star school with a strong 91.4% graduation rate but struggles notably in Geometry and Biology.

A key finding is the "Conway Junior High anomaly": Conway Junior High School, which serves grades 8-9 as an alternative school, achieves extraordinary results in advanced math and science, with Geometry proficiency at 84.8% and Biology at 92.4%, far exceeding district averages. This suggests it functions as a magnet for high-achieving students. Overall, the district shows a clear achievement gap tied to economic factors, with schools like Woodrow Cummins Elementary (lowest free/reduced lunch rate) performing well, while Marguerite Vann Elementary and Bob Courtway Middle School (highest free/reduced lunch rates) struggle. Parents should also note the steep decline at Ellen Smith Elementary, which dropped from 3 stars to 1 star in just two years, making it the district's most urgent area for intervention.