The top reported proficiency rate is 21% in Science. The lowest is 15% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Arkansas Middle School
Arkansas Middle School sits within the Texarkana School District on the Arkansas side of a city that is functionally a single community split by the state line. The school serves grades six through eight, pulling from a mid-sized border city that has seen a modest population decline in recent years. For a parent or resident trying to understand this place, the first thing to know is that the school serves a student body where every student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a reality that frames the academic context the school operates within.
State testing data is available for the most recent year across math, English language arts, and science. The results show that proficiency rates in each subject and grade level fall well below the state average, and the school sits in the bottom quartile of schools in Miller County when measured by an overall proficiency index. In math, the percentage of students meeting the state proficiency standard is in the mid-teens for grades six and seven, and drops lower in grade eight. English language arts proficiency rates are similar, with a range from the mid-teens to the low twenties depending on the grade. Science proficiency rates sit a bit higher, generally in the low-to-mid-twenties. No matter which grade or subject, the share of students scoring at the proficient level is low, and a parent will want to look into what academic supports and interventions the school offers.
The enrollment is moderate in size for a middle school, distributed fairly evenly across the three grade levels. The student body is majority Black, with a substantial white population and smaller shares of students who are Hispanic, two or more races, or Asian. Data on the percentage of students with disabilities and English learners is not available in the reported information, so a parent would need to ask the school directly about those programs.
Housing in the Texarkana area is notably affordable compared to national benchmarks. Home values are well below the national median, and typical rents are low enough that housing costs consume a relatively small share of income compared to the national picture. For a family moving into the area, the affordability of the local housing market is a clear advantage.
The city of Texarkana, Arkansas has a distinctive character rooted in its location. State Line Avenue runs directly on the border, and the downtown has historic buildings, museums, and the famous post office that sits in two states. The local economy is anchored by the Red River Army Depot, healthcare systems, manufacturing, and the school district itself. The population has declined slightly in recent censuses, and the city spreads across a broad area with a mix of commercial corridors, historic neighborhoods, and more rural outskirts. The presence of a University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana branch campus has been a growth area for the city.
The district itself did not have any parent-relevant changes reported in available sources, so a reader should not assume any major recent restructuring or program shifts, though they may want to check directly with the district for any updates.
Overall, Arkansas Middle School is a school where the core academic challenge is substantial. Proficiency rates are low across the board, and the school operates in a community with a high concentration of economic need. The housing market is affordable, and the school serves a diverse student body. A family considering this school would want to have a clear conversation about how the school supports students who are behind grade level, what enrichment or acceleration options exist for students who are performing at or above grade level, and what the school's approach is to addressing the academic gaps evident in the state assessment results.
See more original research from School Decision →