Summary:
In zip code 72013, there is one elementary school, South Side Elementary School, serving grades Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade with 269 students in the Bee Branch area of Arkansas.
South Side Elementary School stands out as a "math powerhouse," with 51.1% of all students proficient in Mathematics in the 2025-2026 school year—a full 7 percentage points above the state average of 44.1%. This strength is especially pronounced in 6th grade, where 61.8% of students scored proficient, compared to just 45.1% statewide. The school also slightly outperforms the state in Science (45.8% vs. 44.0%) and keeps pace in English Language Arts (40.1% vs. 39.4%) and Reading (40.9% vs. 40.4%). These achievements are notable given that 98.88% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, indicating very high economic need. The school invests heavily in its students, spending $17,270 per student, which helps maintain a low student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. The school is part of the South Side School District (Van Buren), which is ranked 97th out of 251 districts in Arkansas (61st percentile) with a 3-star rating.
While the school excels in math, its performance in literacy is closer to the state average, creating a clear academic profile of a math-focused school with room for growth in reading. The school's state ranking has been stable over the last three years, hovering around the 56th to 62nd percentile, and it currently ranks 212 out of 491 elementary schools in Arkansas (57th percentile) with a 3-star rating. For parents, this school offers a strong math program and effective resource allocation despite high poverty levels, making it a resilient choice for families in the area.
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