The top reported proficiency rate is 46% in Math. The lowest is 35% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Paris School District
Paris School District serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in Logan County, Arkansas. The district operates three schools: an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. The community context is a rural one, and the district’s enrollment is modest for a PK-12 system. The student body is predominantly white, with a small share of students identifying as Hispanic, two or more races, Asian, Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
Academically, the district’s performance on the state’s ATLAS assessments, which measure proficiency in math, English language arts, and science, shows a mixed picture. In math, proficiency rates across grades three through eight vary noticeably. Fourth grade and sixth grade show stronger results, with a majority of students scoring at the proficient level or above. Fifth grade and seventh grade show a smaller share reaching that benchmark, and eighth grade math proficiency is the lowest of the tested grades. In English language arts, the pattern is similar: fourth grade and sixth grade post the highest proficiency rates, while third, fifth, seventh, and eighth grade results are lower, with eighth grade again at the bottom. Science scores follow a comparable range, with sixth grade as the strongest performing grade and third and fifth grades as the weakest. Overall, the district’s combined proficiency index across all tested subjects and grades lands above the midpoint when compared with other Logan County districts. A parent may want to look into the variation between grade levels, particularly the dip in eighth grade, to understand how the district supports middle school transition and what interventions are in place.
The district’s chronic absenteeism rate is low relative to its county peers, placing it in a favorable position. This suggests that student attendance is generally consistent, which is a positive sign for school engagement. Data on economic disadvantage, such as the share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, was not available in the profile, so it is not possible to characterize the district’s poverty level from this data. Similarly, information on special education identification and English learner services was missing.
Housing in the district area is relatively affordable compared to national and state benchmarks, with home values below the Arkansas statewide median and well below the national median. Home values in the district’s main zip code, Paris, have seen a slight decline. This pattern, combined with a modest district enrollment, points to a stable or gently contracting housing market rather than a high-growth one. A family moving into the area would find home prices that are accessible by national standards.
The district’s per-pupil spending falls in the middle range among Logan County’s districts, landing in the upper half of that group. Without a breakdown of how funds are allocated, it is not possible to say whether the spending is directed toward specific programs, staffing, or facilities.
We looked for the district’s recent strategic priorities, curriculum changes, or property-tax shifts but found little publicly reported information. The official district site, along with state and accreditation records, contained only directory and demographic data. No referendums, major program launches, or lasting parent-relevant changes surfaced in the available sources. A parent interested in upcoming plans may wish to contact the district directly.
The graduation rate for the district was not included in the data. Since the district serves high school grades and operates a high school, this gap is notable. The reason for its absence is not specified in the data. A parent may want to ask the district for its most recent graduation rate directly.
Overall, Paris School District offers a rural, small-district setting with a largely white student body. Its academic proficiency is uneven by grade and subject, with some bright spots in fourth and sixth grade and soft spots in eighth grade. The district compares favorably on attendance and sits near the middle of its county peers on overall proficiency and spending. Families looking for a low-cost housing market and a compact school system may find this a practical fit, though those with a particular interest in academic support for middle school students should investigate further.
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