Summary:
In zip code 72128, which serves the rural community of Poyen, Arkansas, there is one elementary school, Poyen Elementary School, serving grades PK through 6 with an enrollment of 293 students.
Poyen Elementary School is a high-performing school that consistently ranks well above state averages. In the 2025-2026 school year, it ranked in the 76th percentile statewide, earning a 4-star rating, following two consecutive years of 5-star ratings in the 90th and 91st percentiles. The school's overall proficiency rates significantly exceed the state average in every subject, with Mathematics being a particular strength at 62.8% proficient compared to the state's 44.1%. This academic excellence is especially notable given that over half of the students (52.22%) qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating the school effectively supports its student body. The school is part of the Poyen School District, which is ranked 54th out of 251 districts in Arkansas (78th percentile) and also holds a 4-star rating.
A key finding is a significant performance drop for 4th graders in the 2025-2026 school year, with proficiency rates falling below state averages in English Language Arts (33.4%) and Reading (33.3%), a stark contrast to the school's overall high performance. This "4th grade slump" suggests a potential curriculum gap or cohort-specific issue that warrants investigation. Despite this, the school's overall trajectory remains excellent, with a student-teacher ratio of 15.1 and per-student spending of $10,593. The slight decline from a 5-star to a 4-star rating reflects a shift from exceptional to excellent performance, not a sign of a struggling school.
Thank you for your feedback!