Summary:
Zip code 72562, serving the Newark, Arkansas area, is home to two public schools within the Cedar Ridge School District: Cedar Ridge High School (grades 6-12) and Cedar Ridge Elementary School (grades K-5). Both schools serve a highly economically disadvantaged population, with over 98% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and the district itself ranks in the 44th percentile statewide.
A standout strength is Cedar Ridge High School's exceptional performance in Mathematics, where 50.3% of students are proficient—outpacing both the district and state averages. The high school also boasts a strong 91.9% graduation rate and a very low 5:1 student-teacher ratio, suggesting small class sizes. However, its English Language Arts proficiency is a critical weakness, with only 30% of students meeting standards. In contrast, Cedar Ridge Elementary School performs better in ELA and Reading (36.9% proficient) but struggles significantly in Mathematics, where just 33.6% are proficient—10.5 points below the state average. The elementary school also experienced a sharp decline in its state ranking, dropping from the 60th to the 39th percentile in one year.
Despite high per-student spending (over $16,500) and low class sizes, overall academic proficiency in core subjects remains below state averages, highlighting the profound challenges of poverty. A notable anomaly is the dramatic improvement in Geometry scores at the high school, jumping from 9.4% to 25.6% proficiency in one year. For parents, this data reveals a district with clear academic splits: the high school excels in math and science while the elementary school struggles in those areas, and both schools face significant hurdles in literacy that require targeted attention.
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