Summary:
The three public schools serving zip code 72042 in Dewitt, Arkansas, are all part of the Dewitt School District, which holds a 2-star rating and serves a community where over half of students face economic disadvantage.
Dewitt Middle School is the district's standout performer, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 66th percentile among Arkansas middle schools. It achieves the best academic results while spending the least per student ($10,983), and its 8th graders excel in math with a 62.5% proficiency rate compared to the state's 36.2%. In contrast, Dewitt High School shows a troubling trend, dropping from a 3-star to a 2-star rating despite having the highest per-pupil spending ($15,741) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (6.3:1). Its overall performance lags, though Biology is a bright spot at 51% proficiency versus the state's 42.7%. Dewitt Elementary School is the most consistently challenged, falling below state averages in every grade and subject for the 2025-2026 school year, with 3rd graders scoring just 28.9% in math.
Key metrics reveal a district with high economic need (free/reduced lunch rates from 52.2% to 62%) and a strong high school graduation rate of 93.1%. The most critical takeaway is the elementary school's persistent underperformance, which threatens the entire academic pipeline. Meanwhile, the middle school's success on a lean budget offers a model for improvement, and the high school's resource allocation raises questions about why higher spending isn't translating into better outcomes. For parents, this district offers a mixed picture: a strong middle school, a high school with specific strengths but overall decline, and an elementary school that needs significant support.
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