Thomas C Brunson Elementary School

Thomas C Brunson Elementary School in Warren, AR, serves 217 students in grades 4 and 5 and is part of the Warren School District. This small school has achieved a remarkable turnaround, climbing from the 12th percentile in state rankings a decade ago to the 41st percentile in the 2025-2026 school year, all while serving a student body with 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility—a sign of high economic need.

Brunson consistently outperforms its district in English Language Arts (35.5% vs. 30.6%), Reading (37.4% vs. 31.7%), and Mathematics (42.9% vs. 42.9%). A standout strength is 5th-grade math, where 51.8% of students are proficient—well above the state average of 45% and the highest among nearby schools like Monticello Intermediate School (47.1%). However, 4th-grade math (32.3%) is a notable weakness, falling 14.7 points below the state average. The school also spends efficiently at $13,272 per student, less than Hermitage Elementary School ($17,531) and Monticello Elementary School ($14,854), while achieving better results. A potential concern is the rising student-teacher ratio, now at 17.5:1, the highest among comparable schools.

Brunson is a clear academic leader within its district, starkly contrasting with Warren Elementary School (grades K-3), which sits in the 15th percentile and is declining. Despite high poverty, Brunson achieves results competitive with schools like Monticello Intermediate (66.48% free/reduced lunch). A key area for improvement is Science, where proficiency (35.6%) lags behind the state average (44%) and nearby schools like Drew Central Elementary School (41.9%). Overall, Brunson demonstrates effective strategies for overcoming socioeconomic challenges, with a strong upward trajectory in math and reading.