Summary:
The Forrest City School District in Arkansas is home to two elementary schools—Central Elementary School (serving Pre-K through 2nd grade) and Stewart Elementary School (serving grades 3 through 5)—both of which face significant socioeconomic challenges, with 100% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch and the district ranking in the 6th percentile statewide.
A key difference between the two schools lies in their spending and class sizes. Central Elementary spends $15,343 per student—$2,218 more than Stewart Elementary—yet it has a much higher student-to-teacher ratio of 28.5:1 compared to Stewart’s 18.2:1. This spending paradox suggests Central’s budget may be directed toward facilities or support services rather than reducing class sizes. Meanwhile, Stewart shows a promising upward trend, improving its state ranking from the 16th percentile to the 4th percentile over the last three years, even as proficiency rates remain low—22.9% in math and 15.9% in ELA for the 2025-2026 school year, well below state averages of 44.1% and 39.4%.
Notably, Stewart Elementary has a standout 4th-grade math performance, with 28.3% proficiency compared to 19% in 3rd grade and 21.9% in 5th grade, hinting at a possible effective teacher or program. However, Central Elementary lacks recent test score data, creating a critical blind spot for tracking early learning progress. Overall, while both schools grapple with systemic challenges tied to poverty, Stewart’s recent improvement and lower class sizes offer a glimmer of hope, though consistent underperformance across subjects underscores the need for targeted instructional support.
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