Junction City School District, AR

Original Research by School Decision on Junction City School District

The Junction City School District serves the town of Junction City and the surrounding area of Union County, Arkansas, from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district is relatively small, which means students move through a system where they are likely to be known as individuals. The student body is primarily White, with a substantial share of Black or African American students and a very small representation of other racial groups. The district operates two schools, one elementary and one high school, a straightforward arrangement that keeps the transition between buildings clear.

State test results from the most recent assessment cycle show a district where proficiency rates are generally modest. In math, across the tested elementary and middle school grades, the share of students scoring at the proficient level or above sits below the midpoint when compared with other districts in Union County. English language arts results follow a similar pattern, with some grade levels posting particularly low proficiency rates, something a parent may want to explore further with the school to understand the specific supports in place. Science results vary more by grade, with a few grades reaching a higher share of proficient students while others drop off markedly. The district’s overall proficiency across all tested subjects and grades places it below the midpoint among Union County’s districts, a useful benchmark for anyone comparing local options.

Chronic absenteeism is a factor worth attention. The district’s rate stands above the midpoint of the county comparison group, meaning that a meaningful share of students miss enough school to affect learning. A family considering the district may want to ask what attendance initiatives the schools run and how the district works to keep students connected to the classroom.

Per-pupil spending falls in the middle range but on the lower half of the county’s districts. That figure alone does not tell a parent what they will find in the classroom, but it is one piece of the resource picture.

Key information is missing. There are no reported figures for the district’s four-year graduation rate, which is a notable gap for a district that serves students through twelfth grade. A parent should ask the high school directly about its graduation outcomes. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals and on students with disabilities or English learners is also absent from the available record, making it harder to gauge the level of need the district serves. No information on discipline, staffing ratios, or course access is present, which leaves open questions about what advanced coursework, career pathways, or support services are actually available at the high school.

The housing market in the area the district draws from shows home values well below the statewide benchmark, reflecting a lower-cost area. No district-level change or initiative was found in a search of recent developments, so there is no publicly reported shift in programming, leadership, or policy to weigh.

This is a small district in southern Arkansas where families will find a close-knit setting and a student body that is predominantly White and Black. The academic results, as measured by state assessments, are below the county midpoint, and chronic absenteeism is a concern worth investigating. Without a graduation rate, a parent has an incomplete picture of how students finish their K-12 experience. Anyone looking seriously at this district will want to visit the schools, talk to the principals, and get the details that are not available in the public data.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

682

Grades

KG–12

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 1%

Black 40%

White 55%

Asian 0%

Two+ 3%

Am. Indian / AK Native 1%

Hawaiian / Pac. Isl. 0%

Schools in this District

2 schools are officially reported under this district.

JUNCTION CITY ELEM. SCHOOL

JUNCTION CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Academic Performance

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

Mathematics

6 grades reported

35%

Grade 3

15%

Grade 4

24%

Grade 5

31%

Grade 6

23%

Grade 7

31%

Grade 8

English Language Arts

6 grades reported

31%

Grade 3

24%

Grade 4

29%

Grade 5

12%

Grade 6

14%

Grade 7

30%

Grade 8

Science

6 grades reported

37%

Grade 3

24%

Grade 4

41%

Grade 5

22%

Grade 6

11%

Grade 7

24%

Grade 8

Housing & Real Estate

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

Home Values

Typical home value$133,903

Year-over-year change+2.2%

vs. state typical0.60x

vs. national typical0.36x

Home value trend (12 months)

ZIP code home values (1 ZIP codes)

ZIP	City	Value	YoY	Weight
71730	El Dorado	$134K	+2.2%	26.0%

Affordability

Est. monthly mortgage (20% down at 6.48%)$676/mo

Home price / national median income1.6x

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.