Summary:
The Mena School District in Arkansas serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across 5 schools, including 2 elementary schools, 1 middle school, 1 high school, and 1 alternative school. The district faces challenges common to many rural areas, with high rates of economic disadvantage among its student population.
Mena High School stands out as the top-performing school in the district, consistently ranking in the top 25% of Arkansas high schools. It has a strong academic record, with students outperforming the state average on many measures. In contrast, Louise Durham Elementary lags behind, pointing to potential inequities within the district's elementary schools. Holly Harshman Elementary, on the other hand, has shown consistent academic achievement, with students outperforming the district and state averages.
Mena Middle School stands out for its strong performance in Math, with over 50% of students proficient or better. However, the district's virtual school, Polk County Virtual Academy, struggles academically, with 0% proficiency rates in Geometry and Biology. The high rates of economic disadvantage across the district, as indicated by the consistently high free/reduced lunch rates, suggest the need for targeted interventions to ensure all students have access to a quality education.
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