Norphlet Middle School

Norphlet Middle School in Norphlet, AR, serves 338 students in grades 5 through 8 within the Smackover Norphlet School District, a district ranked in the top 64% of Arkansas schools.

This school stands out for its exceptional 5th-grade program, where students significantly outperform peers at nearby Washington Middle School and the state average in every subject—for example, 61.8% of Norphlet 5th graders are proficient in math compared to just 37.7% at Washington. However, a notable "dip" occurs in 6th grade, with proficiency dropping sharply below state averages, suggesting a challenging transition. The school shows strong recovery in 7th and 8th grades, with math proficiency rebounding to 52.1% in 7th grade, well above the state's 44.2%. Norphlet also operates efficiently, spending less per student ($12,079) than the El Dorado School District schools ($13,802-$13,803) while achieving competitive test scores.

Overall, Norphlet Middle School is on a clear upward trajectory, with year-over-year improvements in all core subjects. Its lower rate of economic disadvantage (58.88% free/reduced lunch) compared to Washington (67.13%) and Barton Junior High School (65.37%) provides a favorable context for learning. The school's biggest opportunity for growth lies in addressing the 6th-grade performance slump, which could help it break out of its current 2-star rating and achieve higher recognition.