Summary:
In zip code 72335 (Forrest City, AR), there are two elementary schools—Central Elementary School (serving PK-2) and Stewart Elementary School (serving grades 3-5)—both part of the Forrest City School District, which ranks in the 6th percentile statewide and serves a student population with 100% eligibility for free/reduced lunch, indicating high economic need.
A standout difference between the two schools is the student-to-teacher ratio: Central Elementary has a very high ratio of 28.5:1, meaning students in the earliest grades (PK-2) receive far less individual attention compared to Stewart Elementary’s more manageable 18.2:1 ratio. Despite spending more per student ($15,343 vs. $13,125), Central’s higher costs do not appear to reduce class sizes, creating a "pipeline" challenge where foundational learning gaps likely carry over to Stewart. Stewart Elementary, the only school with test score data, shows low proficiency rates (15.9% in ELA, 22.9% in math, 17.8% in science) but a positive trend in state ranking—improving from the 4th percentile to the 11th percentile over three years. Math is a relative strength at Stewart, with 2024-2025 scores exceeding the district average.
For parents, the key takeaway is that both schools face significant academic and resource challenges tied to high poverty, but Stewart Elementary shows signs of gradual improvement. Central Elementary’s overcrowded classrooms in the critical early years are a major concern, while Stewart’s upward ranking trend offers a glimmer of hope. The district’s low overall ranking underscores the difficulty of overcoming socioeconomic barriers, but Stewart’s progress in math and its improving state percentile suggest some effective strategies may be taking hold.
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