Summary:
Zip code 71743, serving the Gurdon, Arkansas area, is home to two public schools—Cabe Elementary (grades PK-6) and Gurdon High School (grades 7-12)—both part of the Gurdon School District, which ranks in the bottom 18th percentile of Arkansas districts.
While neither school posts consistently high scores, each has a distinct profile. Cabe Elementary is the more stable performer, with a notable bright spot in 6th grade: its 6th graders scored 42.5% proficient in Reading, actually exceeding the state average of 41.7%. However, the school’s overall proficiency rates remain below state averages, and it serves a highly economically disadvantaged population (78.9% free/reduced lunch). Gurdon High School shows isolated excellence—75% of its 8th graders were proficient in Algebra, beating the state average—but this success does not carry forward, as 0% of 10th graders were proficient in Geometry. The high school also invests heavily in small class sizes (9.7:1 student-teacher ratio) and spends $16,666 per student, yet its overall academic outcomes are among the lowest in the state, with a graduation rate of 84.3% (below the state’s 90.1%).
A key takeaway is the district’s struggle with consistency. Cabe Elementary has seen its state ranking slip from the 31st to the 20th percentile, while Gurdon High School’s ranking has fluctuated wildly (13th to 40th to 14th percentile). The high rate of economic disadvantage (nearly 80% across both schools) is a critical factor, and the data suggests that simply spending more money or reducing class sizes does not automatically translate into higher test scores. For parents, this means the schools offer some bright spots—like strong 6th-grade reading and 8th-grade algebra—but overall academic performance lags behind state averages, and the district appears to be searching for effective long-term strategies.
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