Summary:
Zip code 72834 in Dardanelle, Arkansas, is served by two elementary schools within the Dardanelle School District: Dardanelle Primary School (grades K-3) and Dardanelle Intermediate School (grades 4-5). Both schools serve a high-poverty student population, with over 74% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, a key factor in understanding their academic context.
Dardanelle Intermediate School stands out as the stronger performer, particularly in Mathematics, where 48.4% of students are proficient—surpassing both the district (42.7%) and state (44.1%) averages. This strength is most dramatic in 4th grade, where 59.3% are proficient in math compared to 47% statewide, creating a notable "4th grade bump." However, 5th-grade scores drop significantly, with only 39.5% proficient in math, suggesting an inconsistent experience as students advance. In contrast, Dardanelle Primary School shows improvement from a 1-star to a 2-star rating but generally trails state averages in all subjects, with 42.1% proficient in math and lower scores in English Language Arts (33.1%) and Science (39.3%).
Spending per student differs notably, with Dardanelle Intermediate investing $11,150 per student compared to $10,144 at Dardanelle Primary, though the Primary school has a slightly better student-teacher ratio (15.4:1 vs. 16.3:1). The district overall holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 50th percentile statewide. For parents, the key takeaway is that Dardanelle Intermediate offers pockets of excellence, especially in 4th-grade math, but both schools face challenges in English and science, and the high poverty rate remains a constant factor affecting overall performance.
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