Summary:
Zip code 72937, serving the community of Hackett, Arkansas, is home to two public schools within the Hackett School District, which serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and where 100% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage.
The district presents a stark contrast between its two schools. Hackett High School (grades 7-12) stands out as the stronger performer, boasting a graduation rate of 92.1% (above the state average) and a very low dropout rate of 0.9%. It excels in advanced math, with Geometry proficiency at 38.9% versus the state's 26.4%. This success is likely supported by a very low student-teacher ratio of 6.2:1 and higher per-pupil spending ($13,307). However, its state ranking has declined from the 64th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 37th percentile in 2025-2026. In contrast, Hackett Elementary School (PK-6) faces significant academic challenges, particularly a dramatic "5th grade cliff" where proficiency in English Language Arts drops from 42.5% in 4th grade to just 12.7% in 5th grade. The elementary school has consistently ranked in the bottom third of Arkansas schools for three years, with a larger student body (474 students) and a higher student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1.
The most critical takeaway is the apparent resource imbalance within the district. The high school's smaller classes and higher spending correlate with better outcomes in graduation and specialized math, while the elementary school struggles with a larger population and less individualized attention. The district's overall low ranking (28th percentile) is heavily influenced by the elementary school's performance, and the high school's declining trend suggests systemic issues that may affect the entire district's trajectory. Parents should investigate the transition from elementary to high school and the support available for upper elementary students.
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