Summary:
The city of Little Rock, Arkansas is home to 12 middle schools serving grades 6-8 or 7-9, including a mix of public, public charter, and public magnet schools. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, with some standout institutions like Pinnacle View Middle School and Joe T. Robinson Middle School outperforming the Little Rock School District and the state of Arkansas in proficiency rates across multiple subjects. In contrast, schools like Cloverdale Middle School, Dunbar Magnet Middle School, and Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle School struggle with very low proficiency rates.
The data also reveals a strong correlation between socioeconomic status, as measured by free and reduced lunch rates, and academic performance. Schools with higher percentages of economically disadvantaged students, such as Mills Middle School, tend to have lower proficiency rates. However, the relationship between per-student spending and outcomes is not as clear, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as teaching quality, curriculum, and school leadership, may play a more significant role in student achievement.
The analysis of this data set highlights the diversity of middle school performance in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the complex factors that influence student outcomes. While some schools, like Lisa Academy West Middle School, a Lisa Academy public charter school, demonstrate strong academic performance, others struggle to meet the standards set by the state and district. Understanding these differences and addressing the underlying challenges can help improve the quality of middle school education in the region.
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