Summary:
In zip code 72372, serving the Palestine, AR area, there is one high school, Palestine-Wheatley Senior High, which serves grades 7 through 12 and is part of the Palestine Wheatley School District.
Palestine-Wheatley Senior High is a small school with 378 students and an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.9 to 1, which allows for a highly personalized learning environment. The school's standout strength is its high graduation rate of 94.2%, which significantly exceeds the state average of 90.1%. However, academic performance on state assessments trails state averages, with 33% of students proficient in English Language Arts, 29% in Mathematics, and 30.9% in Science, compared to state averages of 39.4%, 44.1%, and 44% respectively. The school's state ranking has declined over the past three years, from 98th out of 305 schools in 2023-2024 to 149th out of 293 schools in 2025-2026.
A key takeaway is the disconnect between the school's high graduation rate and its below-average test scores, suggesting a strong focus on ensuring students complete their coursework. The school serves a community with very high economic need, as 99.21% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, which presents significant academic challenges. While English Language Arts performance is relatively closer to the state average, math performance, particularly in Algebra and Geometry, is a critical area needing intervention. The low student-teacher ratio is a clear asset, but it has not yet translated into above-average test scores, highlighting the complex challenges the school faces.
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