Summary:
This analysis examines ten elementary schools in the 72401 zip code of Jonesboro, Arkansas, serving grades PK-6 across the Jonesboro School District and the Nettleton School District, an area characterized by high economic disadvantage where most schools report 100% free/reduced lunch rates.
The standout school is Visual & Performing Arts Magnet, the only school to achieve a 3-star rating for three consecutive years, with test scores significantly above state averages (53% proficient in Math vs. 44.1% state average). International Studies Magnet shows strong potential with a 4-star rating in 2024-2025, the highest single-year star rating in the dataset. In contrast, Math & Science Magnet School and Leadership Magnet School are the lowest-performing, with 0-star ratings for two years and proficiency rates below 20%. The Kindergarten Center, University Heights Elementary School, and Nettleton Steam Elementary serve only PK-2 grades and lack test scores for comparison.
A critical finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: the lowest-ranked schools spend over $2,000 more per student than the top-ranked school. The Jonesboro district outperforms Nettleton district significantly, with all Nettleton schools ranking in the bottom 17% of the state. The "magnet" label does not guarantee success, as Math & Science and Leadership magnets are the weakest schools. This creates a stark choice for families, where a child could attend a top-third school or a bottom-5% school within the same zip code, highlighting the importance of school selection in this area.
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