Summary:
The two public schools in zip code 71833, serving the Dierks, Arkansas area, are both part of the Dierks School District, which holds a 2-star rating and serves grades K-12. Joann Walters Elementary School (grades K-6) is the standout school, showing consistent improvement over three years and achieving near-state-average scores in math and science despite over 86% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. In contrast, Dierks High School (grades 7-12) struggles with academic consistency, particularly in advanced subjects like Geometry (10.5% proficiency vs. 26.4% state average) and overall Science (25.9% vs. 44% state average).
Key metrics reveal a paradox: Dierks High School spends $15,193 per student and has a remarkably low student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1, yet its academic performance lags behind the elementary school, which spends $11,779 per student with a 14.6:1 ratio. The high school’s overall math proficiency (52.1%) appears strong but is misleading, as it is driven by 7th and 8th-grade scores, while high-school-level math (Algebra, Geometry) drops sharply. The elementary school, however, outperforms the district in English Language Arts (40.1% vs. 35.9%), Reading (39% vs. 35.3%), and Science (43.4% vs. 37.9%), showing it is a relative strength within the district.
An interesting takeaway is the "leaky pipeline" in math at the high school, where 8th-grade Algebra proficiency (68.8%) is near the state average, but 9th-grade Algebra (29.2%) and 10th-grade Geometry (0%) fall far below. The elementary school’s positive trajectory—with ELA proficiency jumping from 32.9% to 40.1% and math from 36.6% to 44.9% in one year—suggests effective strategies are in place. Overall, families should note that while the elementary school is a bright spot with improving outcomes, the high school faces significant challenges in advanced coursework and science, despite ample resources.
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