Monticello Intermediate School

Monticello Intermediate School in Monticello, AR, serves 361 students in grades 3 through 5 and has shown a remarkable turnaround over the past decade, climbing from a low point in the 2017-2018 school year to a solid mid-tier ranking in the state. The school stands out for its strong performance in Mathematics, where 47% of students were proficient in the most recent school year—above the state average and higher than nearby schools like Thomas C Brunson Elementary School and Warren Elementary School. Additionally, the 4th-grade cohort is exceptionally strong, with proficiency rates in Math and Science significantly exceeding state averages, though this success doesn't fully carry over to 5th grade.

Monticello Intermediate benefits from a higher per-student spending of $13,844 and a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.2:1, which is lower than Monticello Elementary School (15.5:1) and Drew Central Elementary School (18.5:1). This resource advantage likely contributes to the school's ability to provide more individualized attention and outperform many of its peers. However, despite these advantages, Drew Central Elementary matches or slightly exceeds Monticello Intermediate in English Language Arts and Reading proficiency, suggesting that resources alone don't tell the whole story.

While Monticello Intermediate is a bright spot within the Monticello School District, the district as a whole ranks lower than the Drew Central School District, indicating that other schools in the district may be struggling more. The school's consistent improvement over the years, despite serving a population with high economic need (66.48% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch), points to effective leadership and instructional strategies. The key challenge ahead is ensuring that the strong foundation built in 4th grade is sustained through 5th grade and beyond.