Summary
Bryant High School in Bryant, AR, is a large, high-performing public school serving 2,369 students in grades 9-12, and it is part of the highly-rated Bryant School District, which has earned a 4-star rating. The school boasts a strong graduation rate of 94.6% and a very low dropout rate of 0.5%, with test scores that generally exceed the state average, particularly in English Language Arts (47.5% proficient) and Reading (47.6% proficient), compared to the state averages of 39.4% and 40.4%, respectively. This consistent performance has kept Bryant in the top 25-30% of Arkansas high schools for the past decade, offering a reliable, high-quality education for families in the area.
However, a key finding is that Bryant High School underperforms in STEM subjects relative to its own district and its top local competitor, Benton High School, located just 5.29 miles away. For example, only 21.9% of Bryant students were proficient in Geometry compared to 32% district-wide, and 35.3% were proficient in Biology versus 50.7% district-wide. In contrast, Benton High School excels in these areas, with 43.7% proficiency in Geometry and 54.2% in Biology, and has recently surged to a 5-star rating. This creates a compelling dynamic where a nearby rival has pulled ahead in STEM, which is Bryant's area of relative weakness, making it a key point of competition and a potential driver for future improvement.
Another critical issue is the dramatic performance gap for 9th graders at Bryant High School, with only 18.2% proficient in ELA and 9.1% in Reading in the most recent year—far below the district averages of 47.2% and 46.5%. This suggests a significant challenge in the transition to high school, potentially related to curriculum alignment or student support. Despite this, Bryant demonstrates remarkable efficiency, spending $11,089 per student—less than nearby schools like Harmony Grove High School ($12,623) and Parkview Magnet High School ($17,023)—while achieving better academic outcomes than many. Overall, Bryant is a strong, stable school with a primary need to improve STEM performance and support for incoming 9th graders.
Thank you for your feedback!