Best High Schools in Zip Code 72943

In zip code 72943, there is one high school, Magazine High School, serving grades 7 through 12 in Magazine, Arkansas, with a total enrollment of 229 students. This school, part of the Magazine School District, presents a mixed picture for parents. On the positive side, the school excels in general Mathematics, with 55.2% of students proficient in the 2025-2026 school year, significantly outperforming the state average of 44.1%. It also boasts a strong graduation rate of 92.6% and a very low dropout rate of 0.8%, indicating that students are staying engaged and on track to earn their diplomas. Additionally, the school invests heavily in its students with a low student-teacher ratio of 8.9:1 and high per-student spending of $15,636, suggesting ample opportunities for individualized attention.

However, there are notable areas of concern. Despite strong general math scores, the school struggles with advanced subjects like Algebra (22.9% proficient) and Biology (31.6% proficient), both well below state averages. Reading proficiency (38.4%) and English Language Arts (34.8%) also lag slightly behind state benchmarks. Most critically, the school's state ranking has declined sharply, falling from the 50th percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 28th percentile (1 star) in 2025-2026. This decline is puzzling given the school's high resource investment and recent improvements in some test scores, suggesting that other schools may be improving at a faster pace.

One standout feature is the exceptional performance of the 7th grade class, which achieved a 68.6% proficiency rate in Mathematics and 48.5% in Reading in 2025-2026, far exceeding state averages. This points to a strong foundational program at the lower secondary level. However, the school serves a high-needs population, with 67.25% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Parents should weigh the school's strengths in early secondary math and student retention against its declining ranking and struggles with college-preparatory subjects when considering this school for their children.