Cross County High School A New Technical School

Cross County High School A New Technical School in Cherry Valley, AR, is a small public high school serving 315 students in grades 7 through 12, where every student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a high-poverty community that has achieved remarkable academic success.

This school stands out dramatically from nearby schools like Harrisburg High School and Wynne High School by consistently outperforming them in core subjects despite having the highest poverty rate. In English Language Arts, Cross County students achieve 43.8% proficiency compared to Harrisburg's 33.2% and Wynne's 37.1%, while in mathematics the school reaches 46.9% versus Harrisburg's 37.8%. The school has shown a remarkable turnaround over the past decade, climbing from the 20th percentile statewide in 2016-2017 to the 78th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 4-star rating. Its Cross County School District ranks 44th out of 251 districts in Arkansas, also with a 4-star rating. The school also demonstrates exceptional efficiency, spending $14,767 per student—far less than Wynne's $21,915—while achieving better results.

One of the most impressive findings is the school's extremely low dropout rate of just 0.3%, suggesting strong student support and engagement. The technical school focus appears to reinforce core math concepts, with 8th-grade math proficiency at 49% compared to the state average of 36.2%. However, science proficiency at 40.6% falls slightly below the state average of 44%, indicating an area for growth. The school's decade-long improvement trajectory, efficient use of resources, and ability to help students from all backgrounds succeed make it a standout choice for families in the Cherry Valley area.