Best High Schools in Zip Code 72442

In zip code 72442, there is one high school, Manila High School, serving grades 7 through 12 in the rural community of Manila, Arkansas.

Manila High School is a standout for its rapid academic improvement and exceptional math performance. Over the past two years, the school has climbed from the 32nd percentile in state rankings to the 54th percentile, now earning a 3-star rating. This upward trajectory is backed by strong test scores, particularly in mathematics where 59.2% of all students are proficient compared to the state average of 44.1%. The school is especially effective with its advanced math track, as 100% of 8th graders taking Algebra and 91.7% of 9th graders taking Geometry achieved proficiency. However, a notable anomaly exists: 10th graders taking Geometry score only 8.9% proficient, suggesting that students who take the course later struggle significantly. The school also benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1, which supports individualized attention, and per-student spending of $11,993 appears to be invested effectively.

While the school excels in math and science (50.7% proficient vs. 44.0% state), its English Language Arts proficiency (39.6%) is right at the state average, and Biology (39.6%) falls slightly below. The graduation rate of 88.8% is just under the state average of 90.1%, and the dropout rate is a low 1.4%. A clear performance gap exists between grade levels: 7th graders are the strongest cohort, consistently outperforming state averages, while 10th graders are the weakest, particularly in Geometry and reading. As part of the Manila School District, which ranks 60th out of 251 districts in Arkansas (4-star rating), the school’s next challenge will be to ensure its strong academic gains in lower grades translate into higher graduation rates and better outcomes for its upperclassmen.