Summary:
The WEST SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Cleburne) in Greers Ferry, Arkansas, is a small, rural district serving 497 students across two schools: West Side Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and West Side High School (7th through 12th grade). Despite 100% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the district earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 94th percentile among Arkansas districts, driven largely by its standout elementary school.
West Side Elementary School is the clear star, ranking in the 89th percentile statewide and showing remarkable improvement—jumping from the 59th percentile just two years prior. Its proficiency rates in English Language Arts (60.6%), Math (60.9%), and Science (57.8%) all significantly exceed state averages. However, a notable "5th grade slump" appears, with 5th graders scoring lower in ELA (48.2%) and Reading (41.3%) compared to other grades. In contrast, West Side High School presents a more mixed picture. While it ranks in the 82nd percentile and excels in Biology (59.2% proficient vs. 42.7% statewide), its state ranking has declined from the 88th percentile over two years. The high school also struggles with advanced math, with Algebra proficiency (33.3%) below the state average, and its graduation rate of 84.8% lags behind the state average of 90.1%.
Key metrics highlight a tale of two trajectories. The elementary school is on a sharp upward path, while the high school's ranking has slipped. The high school benefits from an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.6:1 and higher per-student spending ($17,634), yet this advantage doesn't fully translate into uniform excellence. The district's high spending and strong performance despite widespread economic disadvantage suggest effective resource allocation. For parents, West Side Elementary School offers outstanding and improving academics, while West Side High School provides strong science instruction but faces challenges in math and graduation rates that warrant attention.
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