Summary:
The two public schools in zip code 72112 (Newport, AR) are part of the Newport School District, which serves grades PK-7 within the zip code, with students in grades 8-12 attending schools outside the area.
Newport Elementary School (PK-5, 691 students) is the largest school in the area and shows encouraging momentum despite its 1-star rating. From the 2024-2025 to 2025-2026 school years, it posted significant year-over-year gains, including a 13.7-point jump in Mathematics proficiency (to 37.8%) and a 9.2-point jump in English Language Arts (to 33.8%). However, it spends a relatively high $14,731 per student while still ranking in the bottom quartile of Arkansas schools, suggesting resource allocation challenges. In contrast, Newport Junior High School (grades 6-7, 154 students) is the standout school, earning a 2-star rating (34th percentile) with a much smaller student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1. It outperforms the elementary school in English Language Arts (36.2% vs. 33.8%), Reading (36.9% vs. 34.5%), and Science (32.0% vs. 26.7%), though its weakest subject is Mathematics (33.5% proficient), with 7th-grade math scores particularly low at 28.4%.
A critical finding is the "middle school bump" at the junior high, where smaller class sizes likely drive better outcomes in most subjects, but the sharp drop in math performance from elementary to junior high signals a need for targeted intervention at the 6th-to-7th-grade transition. The absence of a high school in the zip code creates a disruptive transition for students after 7th grade. Overall, while the district faces systemic challenges, the elementary school's recent improvement trend offers the most optimistic data point, suggesting that if sustained, it could move from a 1-star to a 2-star rating within a few years.
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