Summary:
Zip code 72201 in Little Rock, Arkansas, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: Arkansas Virtual Academy High School and Estem High School, which represent vastly different educational models and performance levels.
Estem High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide, compared to the 2-star, 36th percentile rating of Arkansas Virtual Academy High School. Estem boasts a tiny 0.4% dropout rate versus the Virtual Academy's alarming 13.7%, and it significantly outperforms in academics—with 44.6% proficiency in ELA and 58.7% in Biology, both well above state averages. Estem also spends 47% more per student ($12,219 vs. $8,310) and maintains a lower student-teacher ratio (9.8:1 vs. 12.1:1), despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (61.69% vs. 52.98%). The Estem Public Charter School district appears to effectively invest resources to drive student success.
In contrast, Arkansas Virtual Academy High School struggles with low academic performance and a graduation rate (78.5%) well below the state average (90.1%). Its virtual model, operated by the Arkansas Virtual Academy district, seems to face challenges with student engagement and accountability, as evidenced by its high dropout rate and poor test scores. A notable anomaly is its 11th-grade Geometry proficiency (31%), which triples the state average, suggesting that students who delay math courses may be more capable. Overall, families in this zip code have a clear choice between a high-performing, in-person charter school and a struggling virtual option.
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