Summary:
In zip code 71665, located in Rison, Arkansas, there are two elementary schools—Rison Elementary School and Woodlawn Elementary School—serving students from pre-kindergarten through 6th grade, offering families distinct educational options within different districts.
Woodlawn Elementary School stands out as the top performer in the area, achieving a 4-star rating and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide for 2025-2026. It excels in Math (63.6% proficiency) and Science (56.6% proficiency), significantly surpassing both the state averages and its local peer. Notably, Woodlawn accomplishes this with lower per-student spending ($10,293) compared to Rison Elementary School ($12,200), demonstrating efficient resource use. In contrast, Rison Elementary, part of the Cleveland County School District, performs near state averages in most subjects but struggles in 5th grade Math (27.1% proficiency) and Science (33.9% proficiency), while Woodlawn’s 5th graders achieve 74.6% Math proficiency—a stark 47.5-point gap.
A key takeaway is Woodlawn’s dramatic year-over-year improvement, with proficiency gains of over 20 points in Math and Science from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, suggesting effective new programs. Rison Elementary, despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (74.47% free/reduced lunch vs. 59.17% at Woodlawn), still meets state averages in ELA. Overall, Woodlawn Elementary is the standout choice for academic excellence, while Rison Elementary offers solid performance within its district context, making both schools viable options depending on family priorities.
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