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Bobby G Lester Elementary School

Public Grades K-5

448^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 9% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Bobby G Lester Elementary School in Jacksonville, AR, serves 421 students in grades K-5 within the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, a district ranked in the bottom 10% of the state. While the school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13:1 and spends a relatively high $14,165 per student, its overall academic performance has declined significantly in recent years, now ranking in the 9th percentile of Arkansas elementary schools.

One of the school's most notable patterns is a "3rd grade bump" followed by a decline. In the most recent school year, Lester's 3rd graders outperformed the district average in every subject, with 30.1% proficient in Reading compared to the district's 23.1%. However, by 4th and 5th grade, this advantage disappears, and Lester falls below the district average. This suggests the school may be effective in early elementary instruction but struggles to maintain momentum in upper grades. On a positive note, Lester consistently outperforms its district in Mathematics, with 23.5% of students proficient compared to the district's 18.8%.

When compared to nearby schools in the neighboring Pulaski County Special School District, the differences are stark. Schools like Sherwood Elementary and Sylvan Hills Elementary, located within a 5-mile radius, have proficiency rates that are often double or triple those of Lester. For example, in Science, Lester's proficiency is 21.3%, while Sherwood Elementary is at 55.7%. This contrast highlights the significant impact of district-level performance on individual school outcomes. Within its own district, Lester significantly outperforms Jacksonville Elementary School but is notably outperformed by Bayou Meto Elementary School.

421

Students ?

13.1

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,165

Per pupil spending ?

45.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

601 Harris Road 72076
Jacksonville, AR 72076

(501) 982-7456

District: Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

Students who attend Bobby G Lester Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Jacksonville Middle School
High:	Jacksonville High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

44.9%

White:

33.7%

Hispanic:

11.4%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Bobby G Lester Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 34th percentile in 2021 → 9th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (22% vs 42% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (9th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 25 percentile points since 2021

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school22%

District avg21%

Arkansas avg42%

448^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 9%▼ down 25 pts since 2021

From bottom 34% (2021) to bottom 9% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 4Elementary Schools in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

232^nd of 251Jacksonville North Pulaski School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	12.8	448 of 491	8.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	28.5	374 of 495	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.4	390 of 497	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.8	400 of 492	18.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.7	360 of 487	26.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.5	329 of 496	33.7%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Reading24%-17 vs state

Mathematics24%-21 vs state

Science21%-23 vs state

English Language Arts21%-19 vs state

1.0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Wednesday, May 13, 2020

This school is absolutely terrible! Yes, the school is new and nice. However, they are a breeding ground for sexual harassment and assault. They say they are following there punishment book. This is suspect at best. My daughter has both of these happen to well more than a couple of times. Each time Mr. Beck has handled it with care and respect. His hands are tied and there is nothing more that he can do. Well, the fact that this is not a zero-tolerance policy shows me everything a parent needs to know about a school. Now, the state ranks in the bottom 5 states in the country. Their quality of education is lacking and you are better off homeschooling or sending them to private school. SAVE your child from the suffering of this school district and either go somewhere else or choose one of the other two options I have mentioned. Goof Luck parents! DONT GO HERE!!!!!!!!!!! Close Quote

Schools Near Bobby G Lester Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)				ATLAS Reading (2026)				ATLAS Mathematics (2026)				ATLAS Science (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bobby G Lester Elementary School	Public	K-5	601 Harris Road 72076	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 982-7456	421	32	13.1	45.1%	142 (33.7%)	189 (44.9%)	48 (11.4%)	3 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.7%)	35 (8.3%)	12.8	448^th of 491 public elementary schools	8.8%		28.5	374^th of 495 public elementary schools	24.4%	74	23.2	18.8	20.0	20.8	30.1	17.2	22.7	23.6	24.6	20.3	25.3	23.5	25.0	20.3	18.6	21.3	$14,165	$1,169	$12,996
Jacksonville Lighthouse Elementary	Public, Charter	K-4	251 N. First Street	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools	Yes	No	No	Yes	(501) 985-1200	210	14	15.0	84.3%	19 (9.0%)	160 (76.2%)	18 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.2%)	18.9	426^th of 491 public elementary schools	13.2%		17.4	430^th of 495 public elementary schools	13.1%	4	29.7	34.4		31.9	24.3	31.0		27.3	16.2	13.8		15.2	29.7	27.5		28.8	$30,189	$7,691	$22,498
Jacksonville Elementary School	Public	K-5	2400 Linda Lane	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 457-8300	733	42	17.4	54.3%	150 (20.5%)	413 (56.3%)	72 (9.8%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	95 (13.0%)	4.2	490^th of 491 public elementary schools	0.2%		6.2	487^th of 495 public elementary schools	1.6%	3	9.7	16.4	14.1	13.3	11.4	15.6	15.1	13.9	13.9	9.9	12.1	11.9	8.1	13.2	9.1	10.2	$12,195	$1,755	$10,440
Cato Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9906 Jacksonville Cato Road	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1160	305	17	17.4	60.7%	143 (46.9%)	97 (31.8%)	38 (12.5%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (7.9%)	56.8	217^th of 491 public elementary schools	55.8%		46.1	282^nd of 495 public elementary schools	43.0%	65	34.2	49.0	58.0	48.2	34.2	44.9	58.0	46.7	26.3	42.8	44.0	38.7	36.8	42.8	48.0	43.0	$13,309	$831	$12,478
Oakbrooke Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 Thornhill	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1190	408	26	15.6	57.1%	148 (36.3%)	198 (48.5%)	26 (6.4%)	7 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.1%)	38.6	319^th of 491 public elementary schools	35.0%		42.4	300^th of 495 public elementary schools	39.4%	19	22.5	35.8	44.0	33.9	22.6	37.7	49.1	36.2	22.9	33.9	35.6	30.6	32.8	26.5	66.1	42.2	$13,741	$1,250	$12,491
Murrell Taylor Elementary School	Public	K-5	1401 Murrell Taylor Drive	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 985-1581	428	28	15.2	62.9%	72 (16.8%)	278 (65.0%)	42 (9.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (7.9%)	28.5	384^th of 491 public elementary schools	21.8%		41.2	302^nd of 495 public elementary schools	39.0%	82	24.7	38.2	29.6	30.9	28.2	42.0	35.2	35.0	24.7	33.3	27.8	28.6	29.4	29.6	33.9	30.6	$16,007	$2,155	$13,852
William Jefferson Clinton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	142 Hollywood Avenue	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1200	586	39	15.0	72.9%	95 (16.2%)	365 (62.3%)	73 (12.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (8.7%)	20	418^th of 491 public elementary schools	14.9%		24.5	392^nd of 495 public elementary schools	20.8%	26	26.1	31.4	27.2	27.9	27.2	32.8	27.1	28.8	20.6	26.9	30.0	25.4	21.7	23.9	31.4	25.4	$14,059	$1,358	$12,701
Bayou Meto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	26405 Highway 107	Jacksonville	72076	Pulaski County	Jacksonville North Pulaski School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 988-4131	416	28	14.7	48.6%	254 (61.1%)	91 (21.9%)	36 (8.7%)	7 (1.7%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (5.5%)	33.6	349^th of 491 public elementary schools	28.9%		38.6	321^st of 495 public elementary schools	35.2%	28	35.1	24.6	47.2	35.1	31.6	25.8	47.3	34.3	45.7	24.2	38.2	35.4	35.1	22.7	27.3	28.0	$13,143	$1,471	$11,673
Sylvan Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	402 Dee Jay Hudson Drive	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1140	516	29	17.7	48.8%	185 (35.9%)	234 (45.3%)	37 (7.2%)	14 (2.7%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.9%)	56.9	215^th of 491 public elementary schools	56.2%		61.5	183^rd of 495 public elementary schools	63.0%	32	45.4	39.1	52.4	45.6	45.4	37.8	54.8	46.0	29.3	34.1	45.1	36.4	42.7	45.1	56.0	48.1	$13,161	$1,117	$12,044
Sherwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	307 Verona Avenue	Sherwood	72120	Pulaski County	Pulaski County Special School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 833-1150	424	22	19.0	46.7%	173 (40.8%)	181 (42.7%)	28 (6.6%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	33 (7.8%)	67.6	156^th of 491 public elementary schools	68.2%		63.5	171^st of 495 public elementary schools	65.5%	15	37.5	52.4	68.1	52.5	37.5	58.7	72.3	56.3	14.6	36.0	68.1	39.0	50.0	55.5	61.7	55.7	$14,181	$1,141	$13,040

Frequently Asked Questions about Bobby G Lester Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Bobby G Lester Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Bobby G Lester Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Jacksonville Middle School
High : Jacksonville High School

What is the racial makeup of Bobby G Lester Elementary School?

Students at Bobby G Lester Elementary School are 45% African American, 34% White, 11% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

How many students attend Bobby G Lester Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 421 students attended Bobby G Lester Elementary School.

What district is Bobby G Lester Elementary School in?

Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

Is Bobby G Lester Elementary School a good school?

Bobby G Lester Elementary School ranks in the bottom 8.8% of Arkansas elementary schools.

Rate Bobby G Lester Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.