Middle Schools in Danville School District

The Danville School District is home to two middle schools—Danville Upper Middle School (grades 7-8) and Danville Lower Middle School (grades 5-6)—serving a combined 244 students in a rural Arkansas area where over 74% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, yet both schools consistently meet or exceed state averages in several subjects.

Danville Lower Middle School stands out for its exceptional English and reading performance, particularly in 6th grade, where 61.6% of students are proficient in ELA and 65.4% in reading—far above the state averages of 40.8% and 41.7%. Overall, Lower Middle School posts a 47% ELA proficiency rate and 50.4% reading proficiency, outperforming its upper school counterpart by 10 and 12.6 percentage points, respectively. In contrast, Danville Upper Middle School excels in math and science, with a 45.2% math proficiency rate and 55.5% science proficiency, both above state averages. Its most striking achievement is a 66.7% proficiency rate in Algebra, nearly double the state average, though this likely reflects a small, advanced cohort rather than the general 8th-grade math performance, which sits at just 38.3%.

Both schools are on an upward trajectory. Danville Upper Middle School has improved its state ranking from the 55th to the 67th percentile over two years, earning a 3-star rating, while Danville Lower Middle School has shown consistent year-over-year test score gains in most subjects. The district’s ability to achieve strong results despite high poverty levels suggests effective teaching and leadership. Parents should note the complementary strengths: Lower Middle School is a reading powerhouse, while Upper Middle School shines in math and science, creating a balanced academic experience for students as they progress through the district.