Cross County School District

The Cross County School District in Cherry Valley, Arkansas, is a small, two-school district serving 730 students from Pre-K through 12th grade, where every single student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, yet the district consistently outperforms state averages in core subjects.

Cross County Elementary Technical Academy stands out as a powerhouse in Mathematics, achieving a 61.9% proficiency rate in the 2025-2026 school year—far above the state's 44.1%—with 5th graders reaching an impressive 68.7%. The elementary school also showed remarkable growth in English Language Arts, jumping from 30.6% to 44.5% proficiency year-over-year. In contrast, Cross County High School A New Technical School is defined by its rapid improvement, climbing from a 143rd place state ranking to 63rd out of 293 high schools in just two years, earning a 4-star rating. The high school also boasts a very low dropout rate of 0.3% and spends significantly more per student ($14,767) with a smaller student-teacher ratio (11.1:1) compared to the elementary school ($11,666 and 16.1:1).

Key takeaways for parents include that the district's "Technical Academy" model appears to boost both engagement and achievement, especially in math and science. However, a potential "middle school gap" emerges as 6th-grade math scores dip slightly from the peak in 5th grade, suggesting a need for targeted support during the transition to high school. Overall, the district's 4-star rating and 82nd percentile ranking, despite 100% economic disadvantage, highlight a dedicated staff and effective strategies that defy expectations, making it a strong choice for families seeking a supportive, high-performing environment.