Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 72501

This analysis examines four elementary schools in zip code 72501 (Batesville, AR), serving approximately 2,689 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade across the Batesville School District and the SOUTHSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Independence).

The standout school is Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School, which earned a 4-star rating and leads the area in academic performance, with a Mathematics proficiency rate of 71.1%—far above the state average of 44.1%. It also has the lowest student-teacher ratio (16.7:1) and highest per-student spending ($17,408). In contrast, West Magnet Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, with a 2-star rating and a 4th-grade Reading proficiency rate of just 28.7%, well below the state average of 40.9%. Southside Elementary School is a strong contender, particularly in Science (58.3% proficient), and is the only school in the area not part of the Batesville district. Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School falls in the middle, with a Mathematics proficiency of 52.4% and the highest student-teacher ratio (25.2:1).

Key findings show that higher per-student spending correlates with better performance, but the "magnet" label does not guarantee quality, as both the top and bottom schools share that designation. There is also a clear link between economic disadvantage and academic outcomes, with the school having the highest free/reduced lunch rate (West Magnet at 81.64%) performing the lowest, while the school with the lowest rate (Sulphur Rock at 45.05%) performs the highest. Overall, parents should consider Sulphur Rock for top academics, Southside for strong early education, and be aware of the challenges at West Magnet.