Summary:
Zip code 72542, serving the Hardy, Arkansas area, is home to three public schools—Cherokee Elementary School (PK-4), Highland Middle School (5-8), and Highland High School (9-12)—all part of the highly-rated Highland School District, which ranks 21st out of 251 districts in Arkansas.
Cherokee Elementary School stands out as the academic leader in the area, consistently achieving the highest proficiency rates across core subjects like Math (59.2%) and Reading (54.5%), significantly outperforming both the district and state averages. Highland Middle School boasts an exceptional Algebra program, with 100% of 8th graders proficient in the subject, far exceeding the state average. However, a notable "middle school slump" appears in English and Reading, where proficiency drops from elementary to middle school. Highland High School excels at keeping students on track, with a very low dropout rate of 0.4% and a high graduation rate of 94.1%, though it struggles with Geometry proficiency (24.5%) compared to its strong Algebra and Biology scores.
Key metrics reveal interesting contrasts: Highland High School has the highest per-student spending ($14,544) but the lowest overall academic proficiency, while Highland Middle School has the lowest spending ($12,014) and the highest single-subject achievement. The district shows a positive upward trajectory in state rankings across all schools, indicating effective leadership. For parents, this means a strong K-12 pipeline with standout elementary performance and a powerful math track, but with a clear need to support students transitioning to higher-level math like Geometry.
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