Summary:
The four public schools in zip code 72160, all part of the Stuttgart School District, serve approximately 1,584 students from elementary through high school in a community facing significant economic challenges, with two schools reporting 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility.
Stuttgart Junior High School stands out as the district's academic leader, earning the only 3-star rating and showing a strong upward trend in its state ranking. It is the only school to outperform state averages in several key metrics, including a remarkable 100% proficiency rate in Algebra for 8th graders. In contrast, Park Avenue Elementary School and Meekins Middle School are in a critical state, both with 100% free/reduced lunch rates and the lowest academic performance in the district. Park Avenue Elementary has a 0-star rating and has been declining for three consecutive years. Stuttgart High School is a consistent performer with a 2-star rating and a solid 42nd percentile rank, showing a notable strength in Biology proficiency (40.2%) but struggling significantly in Algebra (8.5% proficient).
A district-wide math crisis is evident, with every school's math proficiency rate falling far below the state average of 44.1%, from Park Avenue Elementary's 21.6% to Stuttgart High School's 8.5% in Algebra. Interestingly, Meekins Middle School spends the most per student ($12,580) and has the lowest student-teacher ratio (11.5:1), yet it has the lowest test scores, highlighting that financial resources alone cannot overcome the academic challenges tied to its 100% poverty rate. The high school's science program shows promise, with 9th graders achieving an 80.9% proficiency rate in Biology, far exceeding the state average.
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