Summary:
In zip code 72116 (North Little Rock, AR), there are two middle schools serving grades 6 through 8, both part of the North Little Rock School District, which is ranked in the bottom 20% of Arkansas districts and serves a student population where 100% qualify for free or reduced lunch.
North Little Rock Middle School (grades 7-8) presents a stark contrast in performance. While its core subject proficiency rates—21.2% in English Language Arts, 16.7% in Math, and 22% in Science—are well below state averages, it boasts an exceptional 70% proficiency rate in Geometry, far exceeding the state average of 26.4%. This "Geometry Paradox" suggests a strong advanced math track for a select group, but the school overall ranks in the bottom 10-14% of Arkansas middle schools. In comparison, North Little Rock Middle School 6th Grade Campus is a bright spot, outperforming its 7-8 counterpart in every core subject, with 29.1% proficiency in ELA and 28.2% in Math. It also showed remarkable year-over-year improvement, nearly doubling its proficiency rates from the previous year.
Key takeaways include that the 6th grade campus is more effective academically than the 7-8 campus, raising questions about the transition between grades. Despite per-student spending of $12,826 to $14,255—likely above state averages—both schools struggle with low outcomes, highlighting that financial resources alone do not guarantee success in a high-poverty environment. The 6th grade campus's positive trend offers hope, while the 7-8 campus's advanced math success contrasts with its broader challenges, suggesting a need for district focus on supporting all students.
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