West Memphis School District, AR

Original Research by School Decision on West Memphis School District

The West Memphis School District serves the city of West Memphis in Crittenden County, Arkansas, covering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. It is a public school district enrolling a large student body for this grade range, and the student population is predominantly Black. White students make up about a sixth of enrollment, while Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial students together account for a small fraction. The share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch was not reported in the available data, so a parent would need to inquire directly with the district about the economic composition of its schools.

On state assessments, achievement levels are low across the board. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above ranges from well under a fifth in most elementary and middle school grades down to a very small fraction in eighth grade. Reading and English language arts results follow a similar pattern, with proficiency rates staying below a fifth at every grade level tested. Science results are likewise low, with the highest rate reaching only about a fifth of fourth graders proficient. Across all tested subjects and grades, the district's overall proficiency index places it above the midpoint among Crittenden County's districts, a context that includes two other districts, but the absolute performance numbers are modest. A parent considering the district should be aware that the test scores point to serious academic challenges that may require strong supplemental support at home or from outside programs.

The district's chronic absenteeism rate is above the midpoint among the county's districts. This is a relevant marker for families: when a substantial share of students misses a significant number of school days, classroom momentum can suffer, and a child's own attendance habits matter more. The graduation rate was not available in the data, so there is no direct measure of how many students finish high school on time. A parent may want to ask the district for this figure directly.

The housing market in the areas served by the district shows a mix. Home values are well below the national median and below the Arkansas state median, making the district a relatively affordable option for homebuyers. The range of home values across the contributing zip codes is wide, from the most modest in central West Memphis to higher values in parts of the nearby town of Marion. Rent data was not available. The national unemployment rate and median household income figures in the data are national context, not local, and do not directly describe the economic conditions in West Memphis itself.

The district operates several elementary schools, two junior high schools, a charter school, and one high school. The list of schools includes a facility listed as closed, the East Junior High School, indicating some past consolidation or reorganization. The available research on recent district changes turned up little of lasting impact for parents; the search found general fiscal and accreditation data but no specific program changes, boundary shifts, or leadership developments from the recent period that were captured. A family shopping for a school district may want to call the district office to learn about current initiatives.

This is a district where the academic numbers are a concern. The peer group is small, and while the district sits in the middle of that pack on proficiency, the absolute rates mean that most students are not meeting grade-level benchmarks in math, reading, or science. The low home prices relative to state and national averages may appeal to budget-conscious homebuyers, but a family should weigh that against the academic profile. A parent who values strong neighborhood schools with high measured outcomes will likely find this district does not deliver that, while a parent who is committed to active involvement and sees room for growth may find a community where their engagement could make a real difference.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

4,752

Grades

PK–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 2%

Black 79%

White 17%

Asian 0%

Two+ 2%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

Schools in this District

10 schools are officially reported under this district.

BRAGG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

FAULK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

EAST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

MADDUX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

RICHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WEAVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

WEST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

WONDER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

THE ACADEMIES OF WEST MEMPHIS CHARTER SCHOOL

JACKSON/WONDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

6 grades reported

17%

Grade 3

17%

Grade 4

18%

Grade 5

28%

Grade 6

21%

Grade 7

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

16%

Grade 3

17%

Grade 4

18%

Grade 5

18%

Grade 6

13%

Grade 7

Grade 8

Science

6 grades reported

13%

Grade 3

20%

Grade 4

15%

Grade 5

11%

Grade 6

13%

Grade 7

11%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

Data as of April 2026 | District-weighted from constituent ZIP codes

Home Values

Typical home value$164,304

Year-over-year change+3.9%

Range across 3 ZIP codes$133K to $238K

vs. state typical0.74x

vs. national typical0.45x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (3 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
72348		$166K	+3.4%	45.9%
72301	West Memphis	$133K	+7.2%	6.7%
72364	Marion	$238K	+5.5%	1.9%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$829/mo

Home price / national median income2.0x

Comparison

State typical home value$222,300 (+3.0% YoY)

National typical home value$368,198 (+0.6% YoY)

State ZHVI trend (12 months)

National ZHVI trend (12 months)

Economic Context

30-year fixed mortgage rate6.48%

National unemployment rate4.3%

National median household income$83,730

CPI: Rent of shelter (index)447.05

30-year fixed mortgage rate (12 months)

National unemployment rate (12 months)

National median household income (12 months)

CPI: Rent of shelter (index) (12 months)

Sources: Zillow Home Value Index and Zillow Observed Rent Index (Zillow Group), Realtor.com via Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)

Data Currently Unavailable

Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.