Summary:
In zip code 72675, there is one elementary school, St. Joe Elementary, serving grades Kindergarten through 6th grade in Western Grove, Arkansas, with a very small enrollment of just 89 students.
St. Joe Elementary is a standout school that dramatically outperforms its own district, the Ozark Mountain School District, which ranks in the bottom third of Arkansas districts. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school’s proficiency rates in English Language Arts (50%), Reading (52.1%), Mathematics (52.2%), and Science (50%) are nearly double the district averages (26.6%, 32.3%, 28.8%, and 34.9% respectively). The school also exceeds the state average in all four core subjects, despite serving a student body where nearly 97% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. Its state ranking has improved significantly, moving from the 50th percentile to the 67th percentile in just two years, earning it a 3-star rating.
Key metrics include a very low student-teacher ratio of 10.9, which allows for personalized instruction in a small, supportive environment. The school has shown exceptional year-over-year growth, with proficiency rates jumping by over 20 percentage points in mathematics and nearly 19 points in reading from the previous year. This rapid improvement, combined with its ability to achieve high test scores despite high economic need, makes St. Joe Elementary a compelling choice for parents seeking a high-performing school that is clearly on an upward trajectory.
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