Best Public Schools in Zip Code 72006

Zip code 72006, serving the Augusta, Arkansas area, is home to two public schools—Augusta Elementary School (grades PK-6) and Augusta High School (grades 7-12)—both part of the Augusta School District, a small, rural district ranked 217th out of 251 districts in Arkansas. The most defining characteristic of this area is that 100% of students at both schools qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating severe economic challenges that heavily impact academic outcomes. Despite high per-pupil spending—$20,002 at the elementary school and $16,541 at the high school—and very low student-teacher ratios (10.4:1 at the elementary and just 3.2:1 at the high school), overall academic proficiency remains well below state averages across nearly all subjects.

Comparing the two schools reveals a tale of contrasting trajectories. Augusta High School shows signs of improvement, jumping from the 7th percentile in state ranking in 2024-2025 to the 15th percentile in 2025-2026. It also has a notable bright spot: 7th graders outperformed the state average in English Language Arts (39.3% vs. 37.7%) and nearly matched it in Science (42.8% vs. 44.9%). The high school’s graduation rate is 86.9%, with a very low dropout rate of 0.6%. In contrast, Augusta Elementary School is declining, dropping from the 24th percentile to the 8th percentile in just two years. Its proficiency rates are roughly half the state average in English (16.7% vs. 39.4%), Reading (11.9% vs. 40.4%), and Math (22.6% vs. 44.1%). The only grade-level subject exceeding the state average in the entire dataset is 6th grade Math at the elementary school, with a 46.7% proficiency rate.

The most critical takeaway is that high spending and small class sizes are not translating into academic gains, pointing to deep systemic challenges tied to poverty. The 7th grade “bubble” at the high school offers a potential blueprint for what works, while the elementary school’s steady decline represents an urgent crisis. Parents should note that while the high school is showing some upward momentum, the elementary school’s foundational skills are eroding, which could impact future high school readiness. The district’s resources are substantial, but outcomes suggest that targeted interventions—not just funding—are needed to improve student performance.