Summary:
In zip code 72542, there is one middle school, Highland Middle School, serving grades 5 through 8 in Hardy, Arkansas, with a total enrollment of 442 students.
Highland Middle School is part of the highly-rated Highland School District, which ranks in the 92nd percentile in Arkansas. The school itself has shown strong and improving performance, ranking 54th out of 327 schools statewide in the 2025-2026 school year. Despite serving a population where nearly 72% of students are economically disadvantaged, the school outperforms the state average in every core subject. For the 2025-2026 school year, proficiency rates were 43.3% in English Language Arts, 45.6% in Reading, 51.7% in Mathematics, and 55.5% in Science, all exceeding state averages. The school also demonstrates significant year-over-year growth, with double-digit improvements in Math and Science from the previous year.
The most standout finding is the school's exceptional Algebra performance, achieving a 100% proficiency rate for the 2025-2026 school year, far above the state average of 36.9%. This suggests an exceptionally strong math program, likely driven by effective teaching or advanced tracking. While overall scores are strong, performance varies by grade, with 8th graders excelling particularly in Math and Science, while 7th graders scored slightly below state averages in ELA and Reading. The school's per-student spending is $12,014, and the student-teacher ratio is 14.1, providing a solid foundation for continued academic success.
Thank you for your feedback!