Summary:
The Lonoke School District in Arkansas serves two elementary schools—Lonoke Primary School (Pre-K through 2nd grade) and Lonoke Elementary School (3rd through 5th grade)—with a combined enrollment of about 670 students and a district ranking in the 45th percentile statewide.
Comparing the two schools reveals a clear trade-off in resources and results. Lonoke Primary School invests significantly more per student ($11,951 vs. $9,948) and maintains a lower student-teacher ratio (16.6:1 vs. 18.4:1), reflecting a focus on early childhood foundations. However, Lonoke Elementary School, where standardized testing begins in 3rd grade, shows a troubling three-year decline in state ranking—from the 49th percentile to the 30th percentile. Its 2025-2026 ATLAS scores reveal a stark split: mathematics is a strength (45% proficient, matching the state average), but English Language Arts (33%), reading (30%), and science (31.2%) all fall well below state averages. Science performance also drops as students progress from 3rd to 5th grade.
The most important takeaway for parents is that the district’s overall 45th-percentile rank masks serious academic challenges at the elementary level. While Lonoke Primary School provides strong early support with smaller classes and higher spending, this investment does not appear to translate into strong literacy and science outcomes at Lonoke Elementary School. The school’s math program is a clear bright spot, but the persistent weaknesses in reading, writing, and science—combined with the downward trend—suggest that families should closely monitor academic progress and consider supplemental support in these areas.
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