Summary:
The two public schools in zip code 72040, serving the Des Arc, Arkansas area, are part of the highly-rated Des Arc School District and serve 658 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in a predominantly low-income community.
Des Arc High School is the standout institution, ranking 8th out of 293 high schools in Arkansas (97th percentile) for the 2025-2026 school year—a dramatic leap from 55th place just two years prior. It boasts a 93% graduation rate, exceeding the state average, and excels in advanced math, with 54.5% of students proficient in Algebra and 52.5% in Geometry, far above state averages. In contrast, Des Arc Elementary School has seen its state ranking decline from 103rd to 229th over the same period, though it remains above average in math (53% proficient vs. 44.1% statewide). The high school spends $2,917 more per student ($13,482 vs. $10,565) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (12.2:1 vs. 15.5:1), suggesting strategic resource allocation toward secondary education.
A key takeaway is the successful academic pipeline: the elementary school provides a strong foundation, particularly in math (6th graders score 78% proficient, 33 points above the state average), which feeds into the high school's elite performance. Both schools achieve high results despite nearly three-quarters of students being eligible for free or reduced lunch, challenging the typical correlation between poverty and low achievement. However, the diverging trends—the high school soaring while the elementary school slips—warrant district attention to ensure continued excellence across all grade levels.
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