Summary:
The two public schools serving zip code 71720 in Bearden, Arkansas—Bearden High School (grades 7-12) and Bearden Elementary School (grades K-6)—are part of the Bearden School District, which ranks 211 out of 251 districts in the state. The entire student population of 446 faces significant economic challenges, with over 98% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. While both schools struggle academically compared to state averages, the elementary school is a clear standout and the district's bright spot.
Bearden Elementary School has shown impressive improvement, moving from a 1-star to a 2-star rating and climbing from the 26th to the 36th percentile in state rankings over two years. In the 2025-2026 school year, its proficiency rates in English Language Arts (36.8%), Reading (38.4%), and Mathematics (40%) are significantly higher than those at Bearden High School (23.1%, 26%, and 36.1% respectively). Notably, 4th graders at the elementary school actually exceeded the state average in both English Language Arts and Reading. In contrast, the high school remains stagnant with a 1-star rating and a critical weakness in advanced math, where 0% of students were proficient in Geometry and only 17% in Algebra.
A key paradox at Bearden High School is its strong graduation rate of 92.8% (above the state average) and a very low dropout rate of 0.8%, yet only 23.1% of students are proficient in English Language Arts. The high school also benefits from an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.8:1 and per-student spending over $14,000, but these resources have not translated into strong academic outcomes. The elementary school, with a more typical ratio of 11.2:1, is outperforming the high school in nearly every subject, suggesting that the district's improvement efforts are more effective at the elementary level. The challenge ahead will be maintaining this academic momentum as students transition to the high school.
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