Summary:
In zip code 72682, there is a single high school, Valley Springs High School, serving grades 9 through 12 in the rural community of Valley Springs, Arkansas, with a total enrollment of 219 students.
Valley Springs High School is part of the elite Valley Springs School District, which holds a perfect 5-star rating and ranks 9th out of 251 districts in Arkansas (96th percentile). The school itself has a strong history, having been ranked 7th in the state in 2023-2024, though it slipped to 39th for the 2025-2026 school year. Its most recent graduation rate of 94.7% significantly exceeds the state average of 90.1%, and the dropout rate is a low 1.1%. The school boasts an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 5.3:1, allowing for highly personalized instruction, and spends $14,101 per student. Academically, the school consistently outperforms state averages, particularly in STEM subjects: 60% of students are proficient in Biology (vs. 42.7% statewide) and 51.4% in Algebra (vs. 36.9% statewide).
A notable finding is the stark performance gap between grade levels in the 2025-2026 school year. The 9th-grade class dramatically outperformed the 10th-grade class and state averages, with 100% proficiency in Biology and 89.5% in Geometry, compared to just 37.2% and 19.5% for 10th graders, respectively. This suggests either an exceptionally strong incoming cohort or a recent instructional improvement. While the 10th-grade performance is a concern, the school’s overall small size, high investment per student, and strong district support make it a standout choice for families seeking a high-performing, personalized learning environment in a rural setting.
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