Summary:
In zip code 72120, there is one middle school, Sylvan Hills Middle School, serving grades 6 and 7 in Sherwood, Arkansas, with a total enrollment of 772 students.
Sylvan Hills Middle School is part of the Pulaski County Special School District and shows a remarkable strength in Algebra, with 84.2% of students proficient in the 2025-2026 school year—far exceeding the district average of 22.6% and the state average of 36.9%. The school has also demonstrated strong improvement, moving from the 22nd percentile in state rankings in 2023-2024 to the 40th percentile in 2025-2026. Year-over-year test scores have risen substantially, with English Language Arts proficiency jumping from 23.9% to 37.8% and Science from 22.4% to 34.2% in just one year. However, the school still lags behind state averages in core subjects like Mathematics (34.2% vs. 44.1%) and Science (34.2% vs. 44.0%). The student-teacher ratio is 13.4:1, and per-student spending is $13,331.
The most notable finding is the "Algebra Anomaly," where the school excels dramatically in Algebra while performing below state averages in other subjects, suggesting a highly effective program or that only select students take the exam. The school is on a clear upward trajectory, with rapid improvements in rankings and test scores, though 6th graders consistently outperform 7th graders in ELA, Reading, and Math. With a free/reduced lunch rate of 56.74%, the school serves a majority low-income population, and its high per-student spending has not yet translated to top-tier performance in most subjects, raising questions about resource allocation. Overall, Sylvan Hills Middle School is a school with a standout Algebra program and strong momentum, making it one to watch as it continues to improve.
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