Summary:
The 71601 zip code area of Pine Bluff, Arkansas is home to 4 schools, including 3 elementary schools and 1 high school, all part of the Pine Bluff School District, except for one public charter elementary school operated by Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas.
The standout school in this set appears to be the public charter Friendship Aspire Academy Downtown Pine Bluff, which has a lower percentage of free/reduced lunch recipients compared to the other schools (73.89% vs. 100%) and is not part of the low-performing Pine Bluff School District. However, the academic performance across all schools in the 71601 zip code area is extremely low, with proficiency rates well below state averages in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.
The high poverty levels, as indicated by the free/reduced lunch rates, are likely a major contributing factor to the low test scores. Additionally, the higher-than-average per-student spending does not appear to be translating into better outcomes, raising questions about the effective use of resources and the need for more targeted, evidence-based interventions. The presence of the public charter school suggests that alternative school models may be worth exploring to address the challenges facing the district.
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