Summary:
The Shirley School District in Arkansas is served by a single elementary school, Shirley Elementary School, a small, rural K-6 institution with 169 students that faces significant economic challenges, as 85.21% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Shirley Elementary School presents a compelling paradox: it spends a substantial $16,064 per student and maintains a very low student-teacher ratio of 10.6:1, yet its overall proficiency rates in English Language Arts (35.3%), Reading (35.3%), Mathematics (31.8%), and Science (34.1%) all fall below the state averages. However, the school is on a clear upward trajectory, with its state percentile rank improving from the 23rd percentile in 2023-2024 to the 31st percentile in 2025-2026. The standout grade level is 6th grade, which significantly outperformed the state in every subject during the 2025-2026 school year, including 58.4% proficiency in Reading compared to the state average of 41.7%. This anomaly suggests that the school's heavy investment in resources and small class sizes may be starting to pay off, particularly for older students.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Shirley Elementary School is a high-poverty school investing heavily in its students, and while current test scores are below state averages, the consistent year-over-year improvement across all subjects is a positive sign. Reading appears to be a relative strength, while mathematics shows the largest gap needing attention. The exceptional performance of the 6th-grade class is a bright spot worth investigating, as it may reveal effective teaching strategies or programs that could be replicated in lower grades. Overall, this is a school that is actively working to overcome challenges and is showing measurable progress.
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