The top reported proficiency rate is 25% in Math. The lowest is 21% in English language arts.
Original Research by School Decision on Star City Middle School
Star City Middle School serves grades six through eight in the Star City School District, the only public school district in Lincoln County. The school sits in the small rural county seat of Star City, a town with a traditional courthouse square and a historic commercial district listed on the National Register. The local economy mixes agriculture and manufacturing, anchored by a Tyson Foods processing plant and wire-fabrication companies. The town has seen a steady population decline over recent decades, and available sources do not describe any major new housing developments. Planned infrastructure includes a future interstate extension that would connect the area to a broader highway network, and local officials have discussed projects such as a community garden, a training center, and expanded walking trails, but these remain in development.
On state assessments administered through the ATLAS system, Star City Middle School’s proficiency rates were low across all three tested grades and subjects. In math, the share of students scoring proficient or above ranged from roughly one in five to a little over one in four, varying by grade level. In English language arts, proficiency rates were lower, with the highest grade reaching about one in four students meeting the bar. In science, proficiency rates were again below a third, with the youngest grade showing the weakest results at around one in seven students proficient. These figures suggest that a substantial majority of students are not reaching the state’s proficiency benchmarks. Parents may want to inquire with the school about specific instructional supports and how the school tracks student progress between grade levels.
The student body is predominantly white, with a notable share of Black students and a smaller Hispanic population. A large majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating significant economic need. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not reported in the available information, so the school’s special education and language-support picture is unclear. The school’s size is modest for a standalone middle school, with enrollment spread across three regular grades plus a handful of ungraded students.
Because Star City Middle School does not serve high school grades, there is no graduation rate to report, and the school’s chronic absenteeism rate was not available. The comparison fact set, which would normally place this school’s performance relative to other districts in Lincoln County, could not be generated because there is only one district in the county, so no peer comparisons are possible. Participation rates for the state tests were also missing, so the reliability of the proficiency results cannot be assessed from that angle.
Housing in the area is more affordable than the national median, which reflects the region’s rural character and modest income levels. The local unemployment rate has been near the national average in recent months. The district brief turned up no evidence of recent referendums, curriculum shifts, or property-tax changes that would be material to a family considering the school.
In sum, Star City Middle School serves a small, economically diverse student population in a shrinking rural town. Its academic results on state tests are low across the board, which is a legitimate concern a parent would want to explore further with the school. The town offers a quiet, low-cost setting with limited but present civic and recreational amenities. The school’s ability to provide strong supports for students who are below proficiency, and to track and improve performance over time, are the central questions for a family evaluating this option.
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