Summary:
This analysis examines three middle schools in zip code 72401 (Jonesboro, Arkansas) serving grades 7-9, with a combined enrollment of 2,032 students across the Jonesboro School District and the Nettleton School District.
Annie Camp Junior High School stands out for its strong improvement, jumping 10 percentile points in state ranking from the 24th to the 34th percentile between 2023-2024 and 2025-2026, and it is the only school showing year-over-year gains in English Language Arts and Reading proficiency. Douglas MacArthur Junior High School experienced a notable decline, dropping from the 38th to the 26th percentile over the same period, though it excels in preparing 9th graders for high school science with 70% proficient in Biology and 77.8% in Geometry. Nettleton Junior High School has the lowest state ranking (17th percentile) but boasts an exceptional Algebra program, with 87.6% of 8th graders scoring proficient, far exceeding the state average of 73.9%.
Key metrics reveal significant differences: both Jonesboro district schools report 100% free/reduced lunch eligibility, while Nettleton has 74.03%. Per-student spending ranges from $12,135 at Nettleton to $13,005 at Annie Camp, with Annie Camp also having the lowest student-teacher ratio (13.1) among the Jonesboro schools. Dropout rates for 2022-2023 show Douglas MacArthur at 1.2% and Annie Camp at 2.0%. Overall, Annie Camp demonstrates the most positive trajectory despite high poverty, while Nettleton's selective Algebra program creates a standout performance in advanced math, and Douglas MacArthur shows strength in high school preparation subjects.
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