Wynne Junior High School

Wynne Junior High School in Wynne, AR, serves 561 students in grades 6 through 8 and has achieved a remarkable turnaround, rising from a 1-star rating to a 3-star rating (53rd percentile) in just two years, despite 67% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

This school stands out dramatically from nearby schools in the Forrest City School District, located about 15 miles away. In English Language Arts, Wynne’s proficiency rate (37.1%) is nearly double that of Forrest City Junior High School (20.9%) and more than double that of Lincoln Academy (15.4%). In Mathematics, Wynne (38.1%) outperforms both Forrest City (24.3%) and Lincoln Academy (21.3%). The most striking difference is in Algebra, where Wynne achieves an exceptional 95.5% proficiency rate—far above the state average of 36.9% and more than double Forrest City’s 41.7%. This suggests a highly effective advanced math program, though overall math proficiency (38.1%) indicates room for growth in general math instruction. Additionally, Wynne benefits from a lower student-teacher ratio (13.4:1) compared to Forrest City (15.6:1) and Lincoln Academy (16.6:1), likely supporting more individualized attention.

Wynne’s success is particularly notable given that Wynne School District spends less per student ($11,940) than the Forrest City district ($16,207), yet achieves far better outcomes—highlighting effective resource use. However, a concerning trend emerges within Wynne: reading proficiency drops from 45.9% in 6th grade to 30% in 8th grade, suggesting a need for stronger interventions for older students. Overall, Wynne Junior High demonstrates that strong school-level strategies can overcome significant economic challenges, making it a standout choice in the region.