Summary:
The eight schools in zip code 72701, part of the Fayetteville School District, serve a diverse range of students from elementary through high school in Fayetteville, Arkansas, a community with a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds. Root Elementary School stands out as the academic powerhouse, ranking 5th in the state with over 76% of students proficient in core subjects, while Fayetteville Virtual Academy surprises as a high-performing alternative with a 93.7% graduation rate. In contrast, Agee Lierly Life Preparation Services School faces significant academic challenges but still graduates 91.3% of its students, highlighting a focus on retention over test scores.
Key metrics reveal a district with an average free/reduced lunch rate of 42.3%, ranging from 14.83% at Root Elementary to 63.2% at Agee Lierly. Spending per student averages $13,792, but Leverett Elementary spends the most ($15,481) while achieving lower test scores, whereas Root Elementary spends the second-least ($11,531) and performs best. Student-teacher ratios average 14.2:1, with Agee Lierly offering the most individual attention at 6:1. Ramay Junior High School excels in advanced math, with 80.7% proficient in Algebra and 100% in Geometry, while Fayetteville High School is a consistent performer ranked 28th in the state with a 93.2% graduation rate.
Interesting takeaways include the clear link between lower free/reduced lunch rates and higher performance at Root Elementary, and the paradox that higher spending does not guarantee better results. The Virtual Academy’s success with a low free/reduced lunch rate suggests its model works for a specific demographic, while Agee Lierly’s trade-off between low test scores and high graduation rates redefines success. Happy Hollow Elementary and Washington Elementary round out the elementary options, with Happy Hollow having the largest class sizes (18.6:1) and Washington spending heavily ($15,328) without top rankings.
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