Summary:
The Pulaski County Special School District in Arkansas is home to 4 high schools, serving students in grades 9-12. These schools exhibit notable differences in academic performance, student demographics, and resource allocation, with Sylvan Hills High School emerging as the top performer and Mills University Studies High School facing the greatest challenges.
Sylvan Hills High School stands out as the highest-ranked school in the district, ranking 125 out of 291 Arkansas high schools in 2024-2025. It boasts the strongest proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Reading, and Geometry, outperforming the district and state averages. Interestingly, Sylvan Hills High School also spends the least per student among the 4 schools, at $11,654, suggesting that factors beyond just funding may be driving its academic success.
In contrast, Mills University Studies High School faces significant challenges, ranking 245 out of 291 Arkansas high schools in 2024-2025 and having the lowest proficiency rates in core subjects. This school also has the highest percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients at 99.7%, indicating a high-need student population. Despite these challenges, Mills University Studies High School spends the most per student at $14,330, further highlighting the complex relationship between funding and student outcomes in the Pulaski County Special School District.
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