Summary:
The two public schools in zip code 72354 (Lepanto, AR) serve 441 students from Pre-K through 12th grade within the East Poinsett County School District, a 3-star district ranked in the 68th percentile statewide.
East Poinsett County High School (grades 7-12) is the standout performer, having achieved a remarkable turnaround from a 2-star rating to a 5-star rating (90th percentile) in the 2025-2026 school year. The school significantly outperforms state averages in Biology (59.4% vs. 42.7%), Reading (49.6% vs. 40.4%), and Mathematics (50.7% vs. 44.1%). Its 10th-grade class is particularly exceptional, with proficiency rates roughly 20-25 percentage points above the state average in Reading, English, and Biology. The high school also boasts a strong 94.8% graduation rate and a low 1.1% dropout rate, with a favorable student-teacher ratio of 10.7:1. However, test scores show notable volatility, with Algebra proficiency dropping from 50% to 29% while Geometry soared from 6% to 32.3% between school years.
Lepanto Elementary School (Pre-K through 2nd grade) serves a higher-poverty population (73.71% free/reduced lunch) and receives significantly more funding per student ($16,218 vs. $12,912 at the high school), yet has a less favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1. A critical blind spot exists: the elementary school lacks recent test score and ranking data, making it impossible to assess the academic foundation being built in the primary grades. This creates an interesting paradox where the high school's celebrated turnaround may be influenced by students who entered after 2nd grade, or the elementary school's unmeasured work may be a key contributor to later success.
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