The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Science. The lowest is 16% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Wilson Intermediate School
Wilson Intermediate School serves fifth and sixth grade students in the Malvern School District, the public school system of this Hot Spring County seat in central Arkansas. Malvern has a manufacturing and industrial character, home to multiple Acme Brick plants, Weyerhaeuser, and other manufacturers, alongside the county government and a small historic downtown. The district recently approved a bond issue for facility improvements and expanded its career and technical education offerings, including programs in accounting, auto body repair, and audio/video technology. Those investments focus on the high school level, so Wilson students may encounter expanded pathways when they move up.
Wilson is a grade-band school that exists between the district's elementary schools and its middle and high schools. The student body is diverse. White students make up the largest share, followed by Black students, then students of two or more races, and a smaller but still sizable Hispanic population. A substantial majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty school community by that measure. Information on special education identification and English learner enrollment was not available in the data.
State testing results for the most recent assessment year show proficiency rates that are below what many families would look for. In fifth grade, math proficiency was low and English language arts was also low. Science proficiency in fifth grade was somewhat higher but still below most statewide averages. Sixth grade results were stronger across the board, with math, English language arts, and science each at higher proficiency rates than in fifth grade. Still, the overall picture is that a large majority of students at Wilson are not reaching the state's proficiency benchmark. When placed alongside other schools in the same county, Wilson's composite proficiency score lands in the bottom quartile, a soft spot that parents will want to understand better by talking with the school about its instructional supports and intervention programs.
Because Wilson serves only grades five and six, there is no graduation rate to report. The school is part of the Malvern School District, which leads to Malvern High School.
Housing in the area is notably affordable. Home values in Malvern sit well below both the state and national benchmarks, a factor that may weigh in decisions for families considering a move. The local economy has a mix of manufacturing employment and institutional anchors, including a state university campus and a medium-security prison. Amtrak service and interstate access connect Malvern to larger regional centers.
Wilson Intermediate School is a school where academic performance is a clear concern, with the majority of students testing below proficiency. The district's recent facility investments and expanded career pathways are positive signs for the long term, but for a family with a fifth or sixth grader, the immediate academic picture is one that requires careful inquiry. A parent considering Wilson should visit, ask about specific academic interventions and how the school supports students who are not yet at grade level, and speak with current families about their experience.
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