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Northwest Elementary School

Q: Is Northwest Elementary School a good school?

Northwest Elementary School ranks 281 st of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades K-4

281^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 43% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Northwest Elementary School in El Dorado, AR, is a K-4 public school serving 477 students within the El Dorado School District, where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a very high level of economic disadvantage.

Northwest Elementary has shown a clear upward trend in recent years, with state ranking improving from the 28th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 43rd percentile in 2025-2026. This improvement is especially notable in Mathematics, where proficiency jumped from 22.3% to 45.1%, outperforming the state average of 44.1%. The school also demonstrates a grade-level pattern where 4th graders outperform 3rd graders in English Language Arts and Reading, suggesting effective instruction as students progress. However, the school's performance is volatile compared to nearby schools, and it sits in the middle of a stark performance gap within its district. It is dramatically outperformed by Hugh Goodwin Elementary (92nd percentile) but significantly outperforms Yocum Elementary (10th percentile), all within 1.3 miles of each other.

This contrast highlights the profound challenges of a 100% poverty school, especially when compared to nearby schools like Parkers Chapel Elementary (39.1% poverty, 84th-86th percentile) and Smackover Elementary (56.4% poverty). While Northwest spends more per student ($12,938) than Hugh Goodwin ($11,395), the results are far lower, underscoring that spending alone cannot overcome the effects of extreme poverty. The El Dorado School District itself has a massive internal performance gap, ranging from the 10th to the 92nd percentile, while the nearby Parkers Chapel School District is consistently high-performing with lower poverty rates. For parents, Northwest Elementary represents a school making recent gains despite significant challenges, with a notable strength in math and a pattern of helping students catch up in reading as they move through the grades.

477

Students ?

16.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,938

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1600 N College
El Dorado, AR 71730

(870) 864-5078

District: El Dorado School District

Students who attend Northwest Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Barton Junior High School
	Washington Middle School
High:	El Dorado High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

50.5%

White:

28.5%

Hispanic:

12.8%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 40th percentile in 2016 → 43rd in 2026

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg38%

Arkansas avg42%

281^st of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 43%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to bottom 43% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 3Elementary Schools in the El Dorado School District

115^th of 251El Dorado 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	45.0	281 of 491	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.8	323 of 495	34.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	33.7	356 of 497	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	62.3	192 of 492	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	63.8	175 of 487	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	50.0	278 of 496	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	31.0	369 of 488	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	44.1	293 of 480	39.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	33.5	350 of 485	27.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	45.3	298 of 494	39.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	44.7	257 of 466	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	52.7	254 of 471	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	56.2	241 of 476	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2012	61.1	207 of 468	55.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	47.3	295 of 471	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	41.6	324 of 457	29.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	45.6	285 of 445	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2008	48.9	270 of 439	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	54.0	232 of 440	47.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	52.5	225 of 402	44.0%	★★☆☆☆
2005	42.9	269 of 411	34.5%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics45%~ state avg

Reading40%~ state avg

English Language Arts38%~ state avg

Science36%-8 vs state

5.0

5 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★5

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What people are saying

by a parent on FaceBook
Friday, January 15, 2016

When I was a nervous mother of two Pre-K students searching for the best place to enroll my boys for Kindergarten, Northwest Elementary was the only school that felt like home. My husband and I knew it was the best fit for our boys. That was four years ago and we have been beyond pleased with our choice. All of their teachers have been warm, accessible, enthusiastic, and caring. They care for the whole child, nurturing their social, emotional, and physical development in addition to supporting their academic growth. My kids want to be there. What more could I say? Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, January 14, 2016

Great school, and great staff! I would definitely recommend this school. Parent of one child that is currently enrolled, and one that has graduated. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, January 14, 2016

The staff at Northwest goes above and beyond the call of duty for their students! We love this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Northwest 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 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Northwest Elementary School	Public	K-4	1600 N College	El Dorado	71730	Union County	El Dorado School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 864-5078	477	29	16.3		136 (28.5%)	241 (50.5%)	61 (12.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	35 (7.3%)	45	281^st of 491 public elementary schools	42.8%		37.8	323^rd of 495 public elementary schools	34.7%	42	33.4	42.9			38.2	33.4	45.9			39.7	48.4	41.9			45.1	39.8	31.6			35.6	$12,938	$2,416	$10,522
Hugh Goodwin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	201 East 5th	El Dorado	71730	Union County	El Dorado School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 864-5071	508	25	20.6		263 (51.8%)	164 (32.3%)	46 (9.1%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.7%)	87.4	37^th of 491 public elementary schools	92.5%		87.7	50^th of 495 public elementary schools	89.9%	13	61.5	59.8			60.7	58.3	54.6			56.5	68.8	74.3			71.5	59.4	57.7			58.6	$11,395	$1,403	$9,993
Yocum Elementary School	Public	K-4	308 South College	El Dorado	71730	Union County	El Dorado School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 864-5096	580	37	15.4	90.0%	125 (21.6%)	371 (64.0%)	40 (6.9%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (7.1%)	15.8	440^th of 491 public elementary schools	10.4%		27.2	378^th of 495 public elementary schools	23.6%	62	15.0	27.2			21.4	15.9	27.3			21.8	23.4	34.9			29.3	20.9	25.8			23.4	$12,835	$1,761	$11,074
Parkers Chapel Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	209 Parkers Chapel Road	El Dorado	71730	Union County	Parkers Chapel School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 862-4641	491	29	16.9	39.1%	401 (81.7%)	42 (8.6%)	20 (4.1%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.9%)	81.7	73^rd of 491 public elementary schools	85.1%		80.9	78^th of 495 public elementary schools	84.2%	5	60.7	56.3	48.3	46.1	52.9	59.0	56.3	48.2	49.2	53.3	57.4	45.3	74.1	72.3	62.1	70.5	53.1	56.9	66.1	61.7	$10,109	$992	$9,117
Smackover Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	701 Magnolia St.	Norphlet	71759	Union County	Smackover Norphlet School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 725-3601	523	29	17.8	56.4%	431 (82.4%)	60 (11.5%)	16 (3.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.7%)	66.6	160^th of 491 public elementary schools	67.4%		57.3	219^th of 495 public elementary schools	55.8%	59	46.1	51.7			49.1	54.0	51.7			52.8	35.5	60.9			49.1	46.0	47.1			46.6	$14,530	$2,519	$12,011
Junction City Elementary School	Public	K-6	200 West Holly Street	Junction City	71749	Union County	Junction City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 899-4043	356	29	12.2	68.5%	203 (57.0%)	132 (37.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.2%)	1 (0.3%)	12 (3.4%)	30.7	372^nd of 491 public elementary schools	24.2%		29.4	371^st of 495 public elementary schools	25.1%	1	28.3	27.8	32.1	42.5	32.4	24.5	29.6	32.1	44.7	32.4	20.4	25.9	23.2	42.6	27.5	27.8	33.4	35.7	42.5	34.6	$14,817	$1,825	$12,992

Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Northwest Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Northwest Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Barton Junior High School
Middle : Washington Middle School
High : El Dorado High School

What is the racial makeup of Northwest Elementary School?

Students at Northwest Elementary School are 51% African American, 29% White, 13% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races.

How many students attend Northwest Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 477 students attended Northwest Elementary School.

What district is Northwest Elementary School in?

El Dorado School District

Is Northwest Elementary School a good school?

Northwest Elementary School ranks 281^st of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresNewJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

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.