Summary:
This analysis covers 10 schools in zip code 72301 (West Memphis, AR), serving grades PK through 12, and is dominated by the West Memphis School District (9 schools) with one school in the Marion School District.
The standout school in the area is Richland Elementary School, which consistently earns higher ratings and test scores than any other school in the zip code, often meeting or exceeding state averages in math and science despite a very high poverty rate. In contrast, Weaver Elementary School presents a paradox: it has the highest per-student spending in the area at $25,226—nearly double the next highest school—yet its academic performance is among the lowest. Bragg Elementary School shows a positive trajectory, improving its state ranking and earning a 1-star rating, with its 4th-grade class performing particularly well in math. The two middle schools, Wonder Junior High School and West Junior High School, serve the same district but have different outcomes: West Junior High shows signs of improvement with a lower dropout rate, while Wonder Junior High struggles with a much higher dropout rate of 9.0%.
Overall, academic proficiency across the zip code is roughly half the state average in core subjects, with about 22% proficient in English, 24% in math, and 22% in science. The only high school, The Academies Of West Memphis Charter School, has a graduation rate of 89.3% and a notably low student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1. The success of Richland Elementary demonstrates that high achievement is possible even in high-poverty settings, while the high spending at Weaver Elementary with low returns raises questions about resource allocation. The data reveals a community facing significant educational challenges, with most schools ranking in the bottom 10-15% of the state, but with clear bright spots that offer lessons for improvement.
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