Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Q: Is Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School a good school?

Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School ranks 326 th of 497 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 426 students in grades PK-6 in Palestine, Arkansas, which is part of the Palestine-Wheatley School District. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Arkansas elementary schools over the past decade, with academic performance generally below the state average.

Compared to nearby schools like Wynne Intermediate School and C.B. Partee Elementary School, Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School's proficiency rates in English Language Arts, Reading, and Mathematics are lower. This is likely due to the school's extremely high poverty rate, with nearly all students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly higher than the rates at nearby schools. The lower per-student spending at Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School compared to some nearby schools may also be a contributing factor to the school's underperformance.

Overall, the analysis of Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School's data highlights the significant challenges the school faces in terms of academic performance, socioeconomic factors, and resource allocation. Addressing these issues through targeted interventions and support may be crucial in helping the school improve and provide a better educational experience for its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

105 Westwood St
Palestine, AR 72372

(870) 581-2246

District: Palestine-Wheatley School District

SchoolDigger Rank:
326^th of 497 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $7,154

Students who attend Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Palestine-Wheatley Senior High

Student/teacher ratio: 16.5

Number of students: 426

Racial breakdown:

White:

85.7%

African American:

10.3%

Asian:

1.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 99.3%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School ranks worse than 65.6% of elementary schools in Arkansas. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 38.4. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (85.7%), African American (10.3%), Asian (1.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 99.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School is 16.5. (See more...)

Compare Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School employs 25.7 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School is $7,154.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Palestine-Wheatley School District:

SchoolDigger ranks Palestine-Wheatley School District 110^th of 252 Arkansas school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	AR State Percentile
2005	72.68	92^nd	411	77.6%
2006	17.60	349^th	402	13.2%
2007	19.51	382^nd	440	13.2%
2008	14.14	396^th	439	9.8%
2009	24.62	366^th	445	17.8%
2010	17.66	402^nd	457	12.0%
2011	33.32	366^th	471	22.3%
2012	40.51	347^th	468	25.9%
2013	42.12	331^st	476	30.5%
2014	37.74	351^st	471	25.5%
2015	30.37	353^rd	466	24.2%
2016	41.58	326^th	494	34.0%
2017	52.59	234^th	485	51.8%
2018	67.30	155^th	480	67.7%
2019	59.84	215^th	488	55.9%
2021	66.76	165^th	496	66.7%
2022	52.88	254^th	487	47.8%
2023	48.11	291^st	492	40.9%
2024	38.40	326^th	497	34.4%

See the entire list of Arkansas Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	196	104	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	300
1989	203	104	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	307
1990	185	101	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	286
1991	133	63	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	196
1992	108	56	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	164
1993	106	58	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	168
1994	106	74	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	180
1995	131	74	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	205
1996	131	74	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	205
1997	149	81	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	230
1998	163	80	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	243
1999	162	77	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	239
2000	163	67	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	230
2001	172	90	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	263
2002	180	90	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	270
2003	180	90	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	270
2004	156	69	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	225
2005	177	90	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	267
2006	185	70	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	256
2007	199	58	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	258
2008	169	67	0	1	1	n/a	n/a	238
2009	198	63	0	5	1	n/a	n/a	267
2010	201	57	0	3	1	0	0	262
2011	216	46	0	7	1	0	0	270
2012	211	43	0	6	0	0	0	260
2013	214	42	0	5	0	0	0	261
2014	256	42	1	6	0	0	0	305
2015	344	57	1	9	0	0	0	411
2016	346	51	1	9	0	0	0	407
2017	355	52	1	9	0	0	0	417
2018	395	55	1	11	0	1	0	463
2019	400	45	4	8	1	1	0	459
2020	397	48	3	8	1	0	0	457
2021	415	33	3	9	1	0	0	461
2022	415	37	5	9	1	0	0	467
2023	365	44	8	8	1	0	0	426

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 Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	300	16.2	18.5	n/a
1989	307	17.0	18.0	n/a
1990	286	18.0	15.8	0
1991	196	12.8	15.3	49
1992	164	11.8	13.8	50.6
1993	168	11.8	14.2	50.6
1994	180	11.8	15.3	56.1
1995	205	13.9	14.7	53.2
1996	205	13.9	14.7	53.2
1997	230	14.9	15.4	51.3
1998	243	14.9	16.3	51.9
1999	239	13.0	18.4	62.8
2000	230	14.0	16.4	67
2001	263	8.0	32.9	50.2
2002	270	18.0	15.0	67
2003	270	18.0	15.0	67
2004	225	18.0	12.5	65.3
2005	267	20.0	13.4	68.5
2006	256	14.0	18.3	65.6
2007	258	18.0	14.3	84.1
2008	238	18.0	13.2	86.1
2009	267	15.0	17.8	83.1
2010	262	17.2	16.3	86.3
2011	270	14.2	18.9	98.9
2012	260	15.4	16.8	98.8
2013	261	14.3	18.2	98.9
2014	305	17.2	17.6	99
2015	411	26.0	15.8	99.3
2016	407	29.0	14.0	99.3
2017	417	26.4	15.7	99.3
2018	463	26.5	17.4	44.5
2019	459	25.5	17.9	100
2020	457	26.6	17.1	100
2021	461	27.5	16.7	100
2022	467	29.6	15.7	100
2023	426	25.7	16.5	99.3

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 Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	300	16.2	18.5	n/a
1989	307	17.0	18.0	n/a
1990	286	18.0	15.8	0
1991	196	12.8	15.3	49
1992	164	11.8	13.8	50.6
1993	168	11.8	14.2	50.6
1994	180	11.8	15.3	56.1
1995	205	13.9	14.7	53.2
1996	205	13.9	14.7	53.2
1997	230	14.9	15.4	51.3
1998	243	14.9	16.3	51.9
1999	239	13.0	18.4	62.8
2000	230	14.0	16.4	67
2001	263	8.0	32.9	50.2
2002	270	18.0	15.0	67
2003	270	18.0	15.0	67
2004	225	18.0	12.5	65.3
2005	267	20.0	13.4	68.5
2006	256	14.0	18.3	65.6
2007	258	18.0	14.3	84.1
2008	238	18.0	13.2	86.1
2009	267	15.0	17.8	83.1
2010	262	17.2	16.3	86.3
2011	270	14.2	18.9	98.9
2012	260	15.4	16.8	98.8
2013	261	14.3	18.2	98.9
2014	305	17.2	17.6	99
2015	411	26.0	15.8	99.3
2016	407	29.0	14.0	99.3
2017	417	26.4	15.7	99.3
2018	463	26.5	17.4	44.5
2019	459	25.5	17.9	100
2020	457	26.6	17.1	100
2021	461	27.5	16.7	100
2022	467	29.6	15.7	100
2023	426	25.7	16.5	99.3

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 Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2019	$1,314 (18.4%)	$5,840 (81.6%)	$7,154

Data source: Arkansas Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Palestine-Wheatley Elementary 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 215^th of 488 Elementary schools	Ranks 291^st of 492 Elementary schools	15.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	81.7	63.7	18%
3rd Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	81.7	63.7	18%
3rd Grade English (Arkansas)	72.4	62.6	9.8%
3rd Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	53.5	61.9	8.4%
3rd Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	53.5	61.9	8.4%
3rd Grade Math (Arkansas)	62.1	54.4	7.7%
3rd Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	36.6	23.6	13%
3rd Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	36.6	23.6	13%
3rd Grade Science (Arkansas)	39.4	35	4.4%
3rd Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	43.7	32.8	10.9%
3rd Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	43.7	32.8	10.9%
3rd Grade Reading (Arkansas)	38.3	32.2	6.1%
4th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	80	60	20%
4th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	80	60	20%
4th Grade English (Arkansas)	69.6	63.3	6.3%
4th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	42	40	2%
4th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	42	40	2%
4th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.8	48.6	5.2%
4th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	48	32	16%
4th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	48	32	16%
4th Grade Science (Arkansas)	42.3	38.5	3.8%
4th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	50	36	14%
4th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	50	36	14%
4th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	45.3	42	3.3%
5th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	73.2	62.1	11.1%
5th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	73.2	62.1	11.1%
5th Grade English (Arkansas)	73.3	70.2	3.1%
5th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	48.2	19.7	28.5%
5th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	48.2	19.7	28.5%
5th Grade Math (Arkansas)	49.2	40.7	8.5%
5th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	30.4	30.3	0.1%
5th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	30.4	30.3	0.1%
5th Grade Science (Arkansas)	40.7	34.6	6.1%
5th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	44.6	30.3	14.3%
5th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	44.6	30.3	14.3%
5th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	41	36.8	4.2%
6th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	80.6	80.4	0.2%
6th Grade English (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	80.6	80.4	0.2%
6th Grade English (Arkansas)	72.8	67.6	5.2%
6th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	56.4	35.3	21.1%
6th Grade Math (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	56.4	35.3	21.1%
6th Grade Math (Arkansas)	53.7	47	6.7%
6th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	54.9	56.8	1.9%
6th Grade Science (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	54.9	56.8	1.9%
6th Grade Science (Arkansas)	45.8	40.3	5.5%
6th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School)	58.1	49.1	9%
6th Grade Reading (Palestine-Wheatley School District)	58.1	49.1	9%
6th Grade Reading (Arkansas)	43.1	39	4.1%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	459	426	7.2%
African American	45	44	2.2%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	4	8	100%
Hispanic	8	8
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	400	365	8.8%
Two or More Races	0	0
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	100%	99.3%	0.7%

Schools Near Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2024)					ATLAS Reading (2024)					ATLAS Mathematics (2024)					ATLAS Science (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2019)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	105 Westwood St	Palestine	72372	St. Francis County	Palestine-Wheatley School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 581-2246	426	26	16.5	99.3%	365 (85.7%)	44 (10.3%)	8 (1.9%)	8 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38.4	326^th of 497 public elementary schools	34.4%		48.1	291^st of 492 public elementary schools	40.9%	35	27.1	32.3	19.7	31.4	27.9	35.6	33.9	21.5	28.2	29.9	44.1	37.1	16.0	23.9	30.3	28.8	32.3	26.8	26.8	28.7	$7,154	$1,314	$5,840
Stewart Elementary School	Public	3-5	625 Irving St	Forrest City	72335	St. Francis County	Forrest City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 633-1365	440	21	21.2	100.0%	22 (5.0%)	395 (89.8%)	9 (2.0%)	6 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.4%)	21.2	418^th of 497 public elementary schools	15.9%		10.3	455^th of 492 public elementary schools	7.5%	37	18.2	21.0	25.9		21.6	17.1	21.7	26.9		21.7	20.9	28.3	30.0		26.1	13.9	19.4	11.5		14.8	$10,175	$2,582	$7,592
Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-2	801 Deaderick Rd	Forrest City	72335	St. Francis County	Forrest City School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 633-2141	725	31	23.4	100.0%	24 (3.3%)	686 (94.6%)	6 (0.8%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																					$14,560	$6,679	$7,882
Anna Strong Learning Academy	Public	PK, KG-6	214 South Alabama Street	Marianna	72360	Lee County	Lee County School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 295-7140	376	29	12.9	100.0%	13 (3.5%)	343 (91.2%)	16 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.8%)	14.5	449^th of 497 public elementary schools	9.7%		7.3	468^th of 492 public elementary schools	4.9%	19	12.0	14.3	18.4	23.3	16.3	14.0	18.4	20.4	13.3	16.8	20.0	18.3	22.5	16.7	19.6	14.0	14.2	20.4	13.3	15.7	$13,903	$3,644	$10,258
C.B. Partee Elementary School	Public	K-6	400 W Lynn St	Brinkley	72021	Monroe County	Brinkley School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 734-5010	277	21	13.2	100.0%	79 (28.5%)	186 (67.1%)	4 (1.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.5%)	24.6	399^th of 497 public elementary schools	19.7%		21.2	407^th of 492 public elementary schools	17.3%	8	38.7	15.2	24.1	17.6	24.6	35.5	12.1	20.7	17.6	21.8	19.4	12.1	34.4	41.1	24.5	25.8	9.1	13.8	11.8	15.4	$11,041	$2,837	$8,205
Wynne Intermediate School	Public	3-5	100 E Bridges	Wynne	72396	Cross County	Wynne School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 238-5060	571	34	16.8	66.9%	361 (63.2%)	176 (30.8%)	15 (2.6%)	6 (1.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (1.9%)	59.7	207^th of 497 public elementary schools	58.4%		45.4	311^th of 492 public elementary schools	36.8%	104	43.9	38.0	39.3		40.4	41.4	37.4	39.9		39.6	39.1	39.9	33.9		37.5	40.8	33.7	33.3		35.9	$8,879	$2,089	$6,790
Wynne Primary School	Public	K-2	1500 N Lemons	Wynne	72396	Cross County	Wynne School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 238-5050	566	38	14.7	68.6%	366 (64.7%)	168 (29.7%)	12 (2.1%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.5%)								(n/a)																					$8,935	$1,977	$6,958

Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

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Rank History for Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

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Enrollment information for Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Student/Teacher Ratio Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Impact of COVID-19 on Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Palestine-Wheatley Elementary School

Stewart Elementary School

Central Elementary School

Anna Strong Learning Academy

C.B. Partee Elementary School

Wynne Intermediate School

Wynne Primary School

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