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Mena Middle School

Summary:

Mena Middle School is a public middle school in Mena, Arkansas, serving 375 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Mena School District, which is ranked 124 out of 252 school districts in the state and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Mena Middle School has consistently ranked in the top 25% of Arkansas middle schools over the past 10 years, with a current ranking of 84 out of 335 middle schools in the state. The school's performance on standardized tests, such as ATLAS and ACT Aspire, is generally on par with or slightly above the state and district averages in English Language Arts, Reading, Mathematics, and Science. In 2023-2024, Mena Middle School's proficiency rates were 32.4% in ELA, 34.6% in Reading, 45% in Mathematics, and 43.2% in Science, compared to the state averages of 33.8%, 34.1%, 36.4%, and 35.6%, respectively. The school's performance on ACT Aspire tests has been strong, with proficiency rates in 2021-2022 of 78.3% in English, 53.4% in Math, 44.5% in Science, and 52.9% in Reading, outperforming the state averages.

Mena Middle School serves a population with a higher level of economic disadvantage, with 60% to 73.67% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch over the past three school years. However, the school's per-student spending for the 2018-2019 school year was $9,282, which is slightly higher than the state average, and the school has maintained a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 12.4 to 13.1 over the past three school years. This suggests that the district is allocating resources to support the needs of its students, and the school's consistent academic performance, despite the socioeconomic challenges, is a testament to its effective strategies for supporting student learning and achievement.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 320r Mena St
       Mena, AR  71953

(479) 394-2572

District: Mena School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
84th of 335 Arkansas Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,282 Help


Students who attend Mena Middle School usually attend:

High:    Mena High School

Feeder schools for Mena Middle School:

Elementary:    Holly Harshman Elementary School
    Louise Durham Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  12.5 Help
Number of students:  365

Racial breakdown:

White:
84.7%
Hispanic:
7.1%
Two or more races:
3.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  64.7% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Mena Middle School ranks better than 74.9% of middle schools in Arkansas. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.15. (See more...)
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (84.7%), Hispanic (7.1%), two or more races (3.8%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 64.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mena Middle School is 12.5. (See more...)
Help
Compare Mena Middle School employs 28.9 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mena Middle School is $9,282.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Mena Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Mena Middle School 84th of 335 Arkansas public middle schools. (See Mena Middle School in the ranking list.)

Mena School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Mena School District 124th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Mena Middle School.

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Your rating for Mena Middle School?

Rank History for Mena Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools AR State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2005 84.83 14th 208 93.3%
2006 75.31 35th 206 83.0%
2007 71.02 57th 225 74.7%
2008 70.44 56th 223 74.9%
2010 73.80 54th 254 78.7%
2011 76.54 43rd 264 83.7%
2012 59.90 125th 265 52.8%
2013 55.83 138th 278 50.4%
2014 56.32 134th 280 52.1%
2015 51.14 121st 275 56.0%
2016 75.01 48th 312 84.6%
2017 71.70 64th 315 79.7%
2018 63.43 116th 318 63.5%
2019 67.45 93rd 319 70.8%
2021 69.89 77th 330 76.7%
2022 74.43 61st 318 80.8%
2023 68.20 89th 330 73.0%
2024 65.15 84th 335 74.9%
See the entire list of Arkansas Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Mena Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)
0%

0%

0%

100%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Open Quote I have an A/B student, who brought home 2nd semester D's and C's. No one in the school noticed or notified me until all the assignments had been graded and turned in. For a month I spoke directly with my childs teachers, expressing my demand to be involved in her education if something was being missed at the school. After that month her two C's were back to A's or B's. However her D, has almost dropped to an F. This one teacher has been absolutely unreasonalbe, and unhelpful! After taking my concern to the VP and superintendent I was basically told the teacher can do whatever they want in their class. Were transferring school districts now. This is not acceptable to me. After the middle school also promoted for weeks jerky for jerks (with their anti-bullying policy) (This action was blamed entirely on the students, saying the teacher did not give the authority, and the students made, printed and hung, flyers all without the teachers knowledge.) , and their school at luis durham sent home pill bottles full of candy to explain the medicines vets use for animals! Where the hell is the oversight on what teachers are allowed to do? Close Quote



Enrollment information for Mena Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 368 0 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 372
1989 399 n/a 3 1 n/a n/a n/a 0 403
1990 372 0 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 372
1991 409 0 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1992 416 0 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 417
1993 457 0 1 9 2 n/a n/a 0 469
1994 470 0 3 10 1 n/a n/a 0 484
1995 443 0 5 11 5 n/a n/a 0 464
1996 443 0 5 11 5 n/a n/a 0 464
1997 447 0 3 10 4 n/a n/a 0 464
1998 440 0 0 5 4 n/a n/a 0 449
1999 437 1 0 3 5 n/a n/a 0 446
2000 438 1 2 6 4 n/a n/a 0 451
2001 445 1 1 10 2 n/a n/a 0 459
2002 476 0 3 6 2 n/a n/a 0 487
2003 476 0 3 6 2 n/a n/a 0 487
2004 453 1 4 7 3 n/a n/a 0 468
2005 486 0 4 8 3 n/a n/a 0 501
2006 488 1 2 6 3 n/a n/a 0 500
2007 449 1 6 6 3 n/a n/a 0 465
2008 408 5 2 4 4 n/a n/a 0 423
2009 287 2 2 5 3 n/a n/a 0 299
2010 289 3 0 14 10 0 0 0 316
2011 294 2 2 11 5 1 0 0 315
2012 430 1 3 10 7 1 0 0 452
2013 404 4 1 11 4 0 0 0 424
2014 377 4 0 17 4 0 1 0 403
2015 346 3 1 20 5 0 0 0 375
2016 362 1 3 23 9 0 0 0 398
2017 358 5 2 25 9 0 7 0 406
2018 350 6 5 27 7 1 4 0 400
2019 369 6 3 29 6 0 1 0 414
2020 363 6 5 19 9 0 1 0 403
2021 341 2 4 15 11 1 2 0 376
2022 341 3 3 20 13 1 10 0 391
2023 327 3 6 21 7 2 9 0 375
2024 309 1 7 26 7 1 14 0 365

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Mena Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 372 23.2 16.0 n/a
1989 403 30.0 13.4 n/a
1990 372 30.0 12.4 30.1
1991 417 23.3 17.8 31.9
1992 417 23.8 17.5 38.8
1993 469 23.5 20.0 34.1
1994 484 24.6 19.7 38.4
1995 464 25.6 18.1 42.7
1996 464 25.6 18.1 42.7
1997 464 25.5 18.2 37.3
1998 449 25.5 17.6 35.4
1999 446 16.0 27.9 47.3
2000 451 34.0 13.3 50.1
2001 459 33.0 13.9 49.5
2002 487 35.0 13.9 52.8
2003 487 35.0 13.9 52.8
2004 468 30.0 15.6 54.1
2005 501 43.0 11.7 54.3
2006 500 37.0 13.5 57.2
2007 465 49.0 9.5 62.8
2008 423 47.0 9.0 57.7
2009 299 47.0 6.4 57.2
2010 316 36.3 7.7 61.1
2011 315 24.9 12.6 63.5
2012 452 36.7 12.3 64.2
2013 424 35.3 11.9 65.8
2014 403 34.8 11.5 65.5
2015 375 28.0 13.3 65.6
2016 398 30.0 13.2 67.3
2017 406 28.5 14.2 34.7
2018 400 31.1 12.8 35.3
2019 414 30.0 13.7 69.8
2020 403 27.1 14.8 69.5
2021 376 28.9 13.0 73.7
2022 391 29.7 13.1 68.5
2023 375 30.2 12.4 60
2024 365 28.9 12.5 64.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Mena Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 372 23.2 16.0 n/a
1989 403 30.0 13.4 n/a
1990 372 30.0 12.4 30.1
1991 417 23.3 17.8 31.9
1992 417 23.8 17.5 38.8
1993 469 23.5 20.0 34.1
1994 484 24.6 19.7 38.4
1995 464 25.6 18.1 42.7
1996 464 25.6 18.1 42.7
1997 464 25.5 18.2 37.3
1998 449 25.5 17.6 35.4
1999 446 16.0 27.9 47.3
2000 451 34.0 13.3 50.1
2001 459 33.0 13.9 49.5
2002 487 35.0 13.9 52.8
2003 487 35.0 13.9 52.8
2004 468 30.0 15.6 54.1
2005 501 43.0 11.7 54.3
2006 500 37.0 13.5 57.2
2007 465 49.0 9.5 62.8
2008 423 47.0 9.0 57.7
2009 299 47.0 6.4 57.2
2010 316 36.3 7.7 61.1
2011 315 24.9 12.6 63.5
2012 452 36.7 12.3 64.2
2013 424 35.3 11.9 65.8
2014 403 34.8 11.5 65.5
2015 375 28.0 13.3 65.6
2016 398 30.0 13.2 67.3
2017 406 28.5 14.2 34.7
2018 400 31.1 12.8 35.3
2019 414 30.0 13.7 69.8
2020 403 27.1 14.8 69.5
2021 376 28.9 13.0 73.7
2022 391 29.7 13.1 68.5
2023 375 30.2 12.4 60
2024 365 28.9 12.5 64.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Mena Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019 $1,191 (12.8%) $8,091 (87.2%) $9,282

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mena Middle School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 93rd of 319 Middle schoolsRanks 89th of 330 Middle schools
 2.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
6th Grade English (Mena Middle School)72.971.1
 1.8%
   6th Grade English (Mena School District)72.971.1
 1.8%
   6th Grade English (Arkansas)72.867.6
 5.2%
6th Grade Math (Mena Middle School)47.336.8
 10.5%
   6th Grade Math (Mena School District)47.336.8
 10.5%
   6th Grade Math (Arkansas)53.747
 6.7%
6th Grade Science (Mena Middle School)50.443.8
 6.6%
   6th Grade Science (Mena School District)50.443.8
 6.6%
   6th Grade Science (Arkansas)45.840.3
 5.5%
6th Grade Reading (Mena Middle School)5248.2
 3.8%
   6th Grade Reading (Mena School District)5248.2
 3.8%
   6th Grade Reading (Arkansas)43.139
 4.1%
7th Grade English (Mena Middle School)84.378.7
 5.6%
   7th Grade English (Mena School District)84.378.7
 5.6%
   7th Grade English (Arkansas)78.375.1
 3.2%
7th Grade Math (Mena Middle School)59.745
 14.7%
   7th Grade Math (Mena School District)59.745
 14.7%
   7th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.739.6
 8.1%
7th Grade Science (Mena Middle School)5042.7
 7.3%
   7th Grade Science (Mena School District)5042.7
 7.3%
   7th Grade Science (Arkansas)4338.5
 4.5%
7th Grade Reading (Mena Middle School)49.636.6
 13%
   7th Grade Reading (Mena School District)49.636.6
 13%
   7th Grade Reading (Arkansas)39.234.2
 5%
8th Grade English (Mena Middle School)73.975.6
 1.7%
   8th Grade English (Mena School District)74.376.1
 1.8%
   8th Grade English (Arkansas)74.169.2
 4.9%
8th Grade Math (Mena Middle School)49.357.6
 8.3%
   8th Grade Math (Mena School District)48.557.5
 9%
   8th Grade Math (Arkansas)47.737.9
 9.8%
8th Grade Science (Mena Middle School)5045
 5%
   8th Grade Science (Mena School District)5046
 4%
   8th Grade Science (Arkansas)42.536.1
 6.4%
8th Grade Reading (Mena Middle School)63.157.6
 5.5%
   8th Grade Reading (Mena School District)62.958.4
 4.5%
   8th Grade Reading (Arkansas)53.150.8
 2.3%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students414375
 9.4%
African American63
 50%
American Indian67
 16.7%
Asian36
 100%
Hispanic2921
 27.6%
Pacific Islander02
White369327
 11.4%
Two or More Races19
 800%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients69.8%60%
 9.8%

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Frequently Asked Questions about Mena Middle School

In the 2023-24 school year, 365 students attended Mena Middle School.

Mena Middle School ranks 84th of 335 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Mena Middle School are 85% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian, 2% American Indian.

Students who attend Mena Middle School usually go on to attend Mena High School


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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