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Shirley High School

Q: Is Shirley High School a good school?

Shirley High School ranks 211 th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

211^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 293 Arkansas High Schools

Better than 28% of Arkansas high schools

Summary

Shirley High School is a small, rural school in Shirley, Arkansas, serving 110 students in grades 7 through 12, and is part of the Shirley School District, which ranks near the bottom of the state.

Academically, Shirley High School consistently performs below state averages and nearby schools. For the 2025-2026 school year, proficiency rates in English Language Arts (28%), Reading (34.7%), and Mathematics (20.4%) are well below the state averages of 39.4%, 40.4%, and 44.1%, respectively. A critical concern is Algebra proficiency, where 0% of students are proficient, compared to 31.6% at Heber Springs High School and 43.8% at Rural Special High School. The school also has a volatile graduation rate, dropping to 62.5% in 2021-2022 before recovering to 86.6% in 2024-2025, while nearby schools like South Side High School (94.2%) and Clinton High School (94.3%) maintain more consistent rates. Despite spending $17,009 per student—higher than the state average and more than Heber Springs High School ($12,051)—these resources have not translated into strong academic outcomes.

There are a few bright spots. Shirley's 10th-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate (38.5%) is above the state average (37.2%), suggesting a specific teacher or program may be effective. However, the school's low student-to-teacher ratio (7.5:1) is not being leveraged effectively, as other small schools like Rural Special High School (3.7:1) and West Side High School (5.6:1) achieve much higher test scores. The closest neighbor, Rural Special High School (6.6 miles away), is a stark contrast, ranking in the top 35 in the state with Algebra proficiency of 43.8% and Geometry at 50%, compared to Shirley's 0% and 8.3%. This comparison suggests that Shirley's challenges are specific to its own practices and culture, not just its rural location or small size.

110

Students ?

7.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,009

Per pupil spending ?

74.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

201 Blue Devil Drive
Shirley, AR 72153

(501) 518-2223

District: Shirley School District

Feeder schools for Shirley High School:

Elementary:

Shirley Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

93.6%

African American:

1.8%

Asian:

1.8%

See top rated Arkansas high schools

Compare Shirley High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 33rd percentile in 2016 → 28th in 2026

Strengths

✓Small classes — about 8 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (26% vs 41% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 5 percentile points since 2016

!Algebra scores 37 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school26%

District avg30%

Arkansas avg41%

Middle school

261^st of 327

Arkansas public middle schools ?

Bottom 20%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

211^th of 293

Arkansas public high schools ?

Bottom 28%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 33% (2016) to bottom 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

203^rd of 251Shirley 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	25.9	261 of 327	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.3	282 of 324	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	36.8	223 of 335	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	27.4	263 of 330	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	44.6	186 of 318	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	55.1	154 of 330	53.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	53.4	150 of 319	53.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	54.9	147 of 318	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2017	38.7	216 of 315	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	29.2	246 of 312	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	25.9	221 of 275	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	43.7	185 of 280	33.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	38.6	200 of 278	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	27.6	218 of 265	17.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	50.2	158 of 264	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	38.7	189 of 254	25.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	44.6	157 of 240	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2008	24.5	194 of 223	13.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	37.4	174 of 225	22.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	55.7	99 of 206	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2005	39.5	143 of 208	31.3%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	35.3	211 of 293	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.8	175 of 291	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	32.8	219 of 305	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	48.5	153 of 295	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	36.6	201 of 282	28.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	38.6	192 of 290	33.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	50.8	146 of 282	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.3	87 of 263	66.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	66.4	70 of 264	73.5%	★★★★☆
2016	38.3	181 of 269	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2015	46.5	108 of 267	59.6%	★★★☆☆
2014	43.4	168 of 268	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	37.4	193 of 271	28.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	43.0	161 of 266	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	31.5	205 of 266	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	50.5	117 of 262	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2009	48.4	128 of 261	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	22.2	212 of 256	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	47.1	123 of 258	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2006	47.5	120 of 232	48.3%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Reading35%-6 vs state

Science29%-15 vs state

English Language Arts28%-11 vs state

Mathematics20%-24 vs state

Biology13%-29 vs state

Geometry8%-18 vs state

Algebra0%-37 vs state

4.0

1 rating

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1★0

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Schools Near Shirley High 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 Algebra (2026)		ATLAS Geometry (2026)			ATLAS Science (2026)			ATLAS Biology (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 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 9th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 10th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading 9th Grade	ATLAS Reading 10th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 9th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 9th Grade	ATLAS Geometry 10th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 9th Grade	ATLAS Biology 10th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Shirley High School	Public	7-12	201 Blue Devil Drive	Shirley	72153	Van Buren County	Shirley School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 518-2223	110	14	7.5	74.5%	103 (93.6%)	2 (1.8%)	2 (1.8%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	35.3	211^th of 293 public high schools	28.0%		41.8	175^th of 291 public high schools	39.9%	36	21.9	29.4	30.8	38.5	28.0	34.4	29.4	38.5	38.5	34.7	31.3	0.0	20.4	0.0	0.0		8.3	8.3	31.3	23.5	28.6		15.4	13.4	$17,009	$2,743	$14,266
Rural Special High School	Public	7-12	13237 Hwy 263	Fox	72051	Stone County	Mountain View School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 363-4365	91	24	3.7	96.7%	86 (94.5%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.1%)	77.1	35^th of 293 public high schools	88.1%		35.4	202^nd of 291 public high schools	30.6%	167	50.0	15.4	41.2		39.3	45.4	23.1	47.0		39.3	59.1	46.2	54.3	43.8	43.8			50.0	50.0	15.4	37.2			60.0	$17,218	$1,406	$15,811
West Side High School	Public	7-12	7295 Greers Ferry Road	Greers Ferry	72067	Cleburne County	WEST SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Cleburne)	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 825-7241	213	38	5.6	100.0%	209 (98.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	71.5	52^nd of 293 public high schools	82.3%		65.8	69^th of 291 public high schools	76.3%	17	54.6	41.4	38.5	41.4	43.9	54.5	41.4	48.7	44.8	47.7	60.6	41.3	51.7	33.3	33.3		16.7	28.5	54.5	55.2	54.9		61.5	59.2	$17,634	$1,636	$15,998
Clinton High School	Public	9-12	489 Yellowjacket Lane	Clinton	72031	Van Buren County	Clinton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 745-6070	390	58	6.6	100.0%	352 (90.3%)	2 (0.5%)	27 (6.9%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	71.8	51^st of 293 public high schools	82.6%		74.4	45^th of 291 public high schools	84.5%	6			42.6	43.8	43.1			46.5	43.8	45.3				35.8	34.4	76.4	16.7	28.9					49.4	49.3	$12,402	$656	$11,746
Timbo High School	Public	7-12	23747 Hwy 263 N.	Timbo	72680	Stone County	Mountain View School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 746-4303	99	23	4.2	97.0%	92 (92.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	30.9	228^th of 293 public high schools	22.2%		24.2	239^th of 291 public high schools	17.9%	11	10.6		7.1	27.8	18.6	26.4		0.0	33.4	25.4	36.8		37.0	7.1	7.1		5.6	5.3	31.6		29.6		55.6	55.6	$14,962	$1,072	$13,890
South Side High School	Public	7-12	334 Southside Road	Bee Branch	72013	Van Buren County	SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren)	No	No	No	No	(501) 654-2242	249	35	7.0	98.8%	225 (90.4%)	1 (0.4%)	9 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.8%)	61.3	98^th of 293 public high schools	66.6%		55.1	113^th of 291 public high schools	61.2%	15	46.4	40.0	45.0	41.0	43.1	46.4	37.5	46.7	46.1	44.3	57.1	16.1	35.6	38.5	44.9	30.0	14.8	20.9	35.7	30.0	32.3	46.9	30.8	41.3	$17,866	$872	$16,994
North Central Career Center	Public	9-12	330 Oak St	Leslie	72645	Searcy County	North Central Career Center	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(870) 447-6111	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Mountain View High School	Public	9-12	210 High School Dr.	Mountain View	72560	Stone County	Mountain View School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 269-3943	337	57	5.8	99.1%	319 (94.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.8%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.4%)	64	89^th of 293 public high schools	69.6%		70.8	52^nd of 291 public high schools	82.1%	37			42.4	41.0	41.6			48.7	42.1	45.1				15.6	15.6	53.9	15.3	20.9					52.2	51.0	$14,666	$1,529	$13,136
Heber Springs High School	Public	9-12	1100 W Pine St	Heber Springs	72543	Cleburne County	Heber Springs School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 362-3141	483	59	8.1	43.9%	426 (88.2%)	2 (0.4%)	36 (7.5%)	6 (1.2%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.9%)	68.5	65^th of 293 public high schools	77.8%		78.7	36^th of 291 public high schools	87.6%	29			34.8	47.7	41.0			37.6	46.2	41.7				31.9	31.6	68.0	19.7	28.6				95.5	60.2	66.5	$12,051	$712	$11,339

Frequently Asked Questions about Shirley High School

How many students attend Shirley High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 110 students attended Shirley High School.

What district is Shirley High School in?

Shirley School District

What is the racial makeup of Shirley High School?

Students at Shirley High School are 94% White, 2% African American, 2% Asian, 2% Hispanic.

Is Shirley High School a good school?

Shirley High School ranks 211^th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What schools feed into Shirley High School?

Shirley High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Shirley Elementary School

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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.