The top reported proficiency rate is 71% in Math. The lowest is 52% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Ward Central Elementary
Ward Central Elementary serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in the town of Ward, Arkansas, as part of the Cabot School District. This is a public, non-charter school, and it is the only elementary campus within Ward itself; students travel to Cabot for middle and high school.
The school is a mid-sized elementary for its grade band, enrolling across the grades it serves. In terms of student composition, the majority of students identify as white, with smaller shares identifying as two or more races, Hispanic, Black, and Asian. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the working-class character of the community. Information on the share of students receiving special education services or classified as English learners was not available in the data provided.
Ward Central Elementary's academic performance on the state's ATLAS assessments shows a clear pattern. In mathematics, students performed well, with the share scoring proficient or above reaching a level that is a clear strength for the school. In English language arts, the proficiency rate was lower, and in science, results were mixed, with a higher rate in third grade and a lower rate in fourth grade. A parent may want to look into these literacy and science results further with the school to understand the specific areas of focus and any support in place.
Placed in the context of other districts in Lonoke County, Ward Central Elementary’s overall proficiency across tested subjects and grades sits in the top quartile. This is a strong position, especially given that the school serves a population with a relatively high rate of economic disadvantage.
The town of Ward is primarily a residential bedroom community for workers commuting to the Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville and other nearby cities. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas notes that Ward has no major industries but that residential building is booming. Local retail and service businesses include Dollar General, Community Bank, Hank's Cafe, Ward Coop, Show Biz Video, and H. L. Scott Lumber. The median household income indicates a working-class, family-oriented commuter town with a substantial portion of the population under 18. Ward's downtown, situated along a railroad line, diminished when the highway was moved north in the late 1960s. The current built environment is suburban, with limited traditional street life and a long average commute time for residents.
Ward Central Elementary was built on the southern edge of Ward, separated from the downtown core. The city's administration is housed in a former elementary school building that also contains the public library, establishing a civic center in the old downtown area. Ward is one of the fastest-growing towns in Lonoke County and Arkansas, with a population that has increased substantially in recent decades. The growth trajectory is driven by its position as an affordable bedroom community within commuting distance of the Little Rock metro area. Recent development is concentrated in the city's third ward, where the elementary school is also located.
No recent district-level changes, such as bond elections, millage rates, curriculum changes, or construction, were found in the data provided for the Cabot School District. The district brief indicates that a search for such information was conducted but no confirmed lasting parent-relevant changes were identified.
Overall, Ward Central Elementary is an elementary school with a strong math record and a top-quartile proficiency profile within its county, set within a fast-growing, family-oriented bedroom community that is part of the larger Cabot School District. The school’s literacy and science performance, particularly in the upper elementary grades, are areas a family might inquire about to get a fuller picture of the academic program.
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