Summary:
Zip code 72128, serving the rural community of Poyen, Arkansas, is home to two public schools—Poyen Elementary School (Pre-K through 6th grade) and Poyen High School (7th through 12th grade)—both part of the Poyen School District, which serves 557 students and holds a 4-star rating.
Poyen Elementary School is the standout in this area, consistently outperforming state averages across all subjects and grade levels. In the 2025-2026 school year, its overall math proficiency of 62.8% far exceeds the state average, with 6th-grade math proficiency reaching 72.8%—nearly 28 points higher than the state. The school has earned 5-star ratings in recent years and currently holds a 4-star rating. In contrast, Poyen High School shows a notable performance drop, with ELA proficiency at 36.7% (below the state average of 39.4%) and reading at 37.2%. However, the high school excels in advanced subjects like Geometry (40.7% proficiency, 14 points above the state) and Biology (41.2%).
A key finding is the inverse relationship between resources and results: Poyen High School spends $11,396 per student and has an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.2:1, yet its overall performance lags behind Poyen Elementary, which spends $10,593 per student with a 15.1:1 ratio. The elementary school also serves a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (52.22% vs. 44.32% at the high school). The high school maintains a strong graduation rate of 92.5% and a low dropout rate of 1.1%, but its state ranking has declined from the 84th to the 66th percentile, while the elementary school remains a powerhouse. This divergence suggests the district may need to focus on sustaining elementary gains through the high school years.
Thank you for your feedback!