Summary:
This analysis examines seven elementary schools in zip code 72301, serving grades PK through 6 in the West Memphis, Arkansas area, a community facing significant economic challenges with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 85.83% to 100%.
The standout school in this area is Richland Elementary School, which consistently outperforms its peers despite a 99.78% free/reduced lunch rate. Richland is the only school in the zip code to exceed the state average in Math proficiency (50.8% vs. 44.1%) and has achieved a 3-star rating, with its state ranking climbing from the 63rd to the 49th percentile over three years. In stark contrast, Weaver Elementary School spends the most per student at $25,226—more than double the average of $14,365—yet posts some of the lowest test scores and a 9th percentile state ranking. Bragg Elementary School spends the least ($11,104 per student) but achieves better results than Weaver, Faulk Elementary School, and Jackson Wonder Elementary School, which has the lowest overall proficiency at just 14.5% across subjects. Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School, part of the slightly higher-ranked Marion School District (12th percentile), does not outperform Richland, trailing significantly in Math (15.2% vs. 50.8%).
Key takeaways for parents: Richland Elementary is a beacon of resilience and the top academic choice in the area, proving that individual school excellence can thrive even within the West Memphis School District (10th percentile). High spending at Weaver does not guarantee success, while low spending at Bragg shows efficiency. The data also reveals year-over-year volatility, such as Maddux Elementary School’s Math proficiency jumping from 11.2% to 37.4%, suggesting that recent performance trends may be more telling than single-year snapshots. Overall, Richland stands out as the clear leader, while families should weigh the inconsistent outcomes across other schools.
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