Summary:
The five public schools in zip code 71832, serving grades K-12, are all part of the De Queen School District, a 4-star district ranked in the top 25% of Arkansas, serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged student population in the De Queen area.
Dequeen Elementary School (grades 3-5) is the district's academic leader, consistently earning a 4-star rating and outperforming state averages in every subject despite having the highest rate of economic disadvantage. In contrast, Dequeen Junior High School (grades 8-9) stands out as a STEM powerhouse, with extraordinary results in advanced courses like Algebra (97.2% proficiency for 8th graders) and Biology (87.8% proficiency for 9th graders), far exceeding state averages. Dequeen High School (grades 10-12) tells a story of dramatic turnaround, rebounding from a 35th percentile ranking in 2024-2025 to the 69th percentile in 2025-2026, with a strong 94.3% graduation rate. Dequeen Middle School (grades 6-7) and Dequeen Primary (grades K-2) complete the pipeline, though the middle school shows a notable dip in reading and ELA proficiency compared to the elementary level.
A key takeaway is the district's clear strength in math and science, forming a pipeline from elementary through high school, while a reading gap emerges in middle school that warrants attention. The Junior High's classification as an "alternative" school belies its role as a STEM accelerator, and the High School's volatile but strong recovery suggests effective interventions. Overall, the district demonstrates that high poverty does not preclude high performance, as seen at Dequeen Elementary, making it a compelling choice for families prioritizing academic growth and STEM opportunities.
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