Summary:
In zip code 72411, there is one elementary school, Bay Elementary School, which serves students from Kindergarten through 6th grade in the Bay School District in Bay, Arkansas, with a total enrollment of 317 students.
Bay Elementary School presents a mixed picture of performance. While the school has a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1 and spends $11,900 per student, its academic outcomes are generally below state averages. The school has seen a decline in its state ranking over the past three years, dropping from a 3-star rating in the 60th percentile to a 2-star rating in the 41st percentile. A significant concern is a severe "4th grade slump," where 4th graders scored less than half the state average in English Language Arts (18.9% vs. 41.4%) and Reading (24.6% vs. 40.9%) in the 2025-2026 school year. However, there are bright spots, such as 5th graders achieving 50% proficiency in Mathematics, outperforming the state average of 45%, and 6th graders exceeding state averages in English Language Arts, Reading, and Science.
Despite slight year-over-year improvements in Reading and Math scores, the school's ranking fell, indicating that other schools in Arkansas are improving at a faster pace. With over 60% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a population with higher-than-average economic need, which adds context to its challenges. The key takeaway for parents is that while Bay Elementary School has some strong grade-level performances and adequate resources, it faces significant hurdles, particularly in 4th grade, and is struggling to keep pace with statewide academic improvements.
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