Ouachita School District

The Ouachita School District in Arkansas consists of two schools: Ouachita Elementary School and Ouachita High School. While Ouachita Elementary is a standout performer, ranking in the top 12.7% of Arkansas elementary schools, Ouachita High School is in the middle of the pack, ranking in the 45th percentile of high schools statewide.

Ouachita Elementary School boasts impressive academic achievements, with proficiency rates on ATLAS/ACTASP tests exceeding the district and state averages across multiple subjects and grade levels. The school maintains a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and has a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 16.1. In contrast, Ouachita High School has seen a decline in performance, dropping from a 4-star to a 3-star rating over the past 3 years, and its proficiency rates are generally lower than the district and state averages, particularly in math and science.

The data suggests a significant performance gap between the elementary and high school, which warrants further investigation. Additionally, the high school spends slightly more per student than the elementary school, yet the elementary school outperforms the high school, indicating a potential imbalance in resource allocation. Socioeconomic factors, such as the higher percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients at the elementary school, may also be contributing to the performance gap and should be considered in any improvement strategies.