A new set of report cards from the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) paints a concerning picture for most public school districts in Jefferson County, with the majority receiving failing marks under a revamped statewide grading system.
The ADE’s redesigned school report card website, released this week, offers families what officials describe as a “clearer and more accessible” way to see how schools and districts performed. For the first time, entire districts—not just individual campuses—received letter grades, a change mandated by the ACCESS Act of 2025.
Under the new model, districts are scored on a 900-point scale based on student achievement, growth, and readiness. Of all districts statewide, 9.1% received an A, 38.6% a B, 38.6% a C, 9.4% a D, and 4.3% an F.
In Jefferson County, three of four districts—Pine Bluff, Watson Chapel, and Friendship Aspire Academies—earned an F. The White Hall School District earned a C.
The Pine Bluff School District (PBSD) was graded F, ranking “far below” most other Arkansas districts in key categories including student achievement, overall growth, graduation rate, and readiness for success after high school.
According to MySchoolInfo.Arkansas.gov, Pine Bluff students continue to struggle with state testing benchmarks. Only 12% of students reached proficiency in English language arts (ELA), 8% in math, and 8% in science. State averages are 32% in ELA, 33% in math, and 36% in science.
In growth—the measure of how students improve year over year—44% of PBSD students met their goals in both ELA and math, below state averages of roughly 50% in each. The district’s graduation rate sits at 76%, well below the state average of 90%.
The Watson Chapel School District (WCSD) also received an F, falling “far below” most other districts in meeting grade-level standards, growth, and graduation rate.
Only 13% of students met proficiency in ELA, 9% in math, and 13% in science. Growth scores were similarly low, with 42% meeting targets in ELA and 39% in math.
Still, the district’s graduation rate—at 85%—is closer to the state average than Pine Bluff’s.
The White Hall School District received a C, placing it in the middle of the performance spectrum statewide.
Students performed slightly above average in English language arts, with 33% meeting proficiency. Math and science scores lagged behind at 28% and 33%, respectively.
White Hall’s graduation rate of 91% exceeds the state average, and 57% of students met merit and distinction benchmarks, reflecting readiness for college, career, or military service.
While the district scored “below” in some areas, it avoided the failing marks seen elsewhere in Jefferson County.
The Friendship Aspire Academies of Arkansas, a public charter network operating multiple campuses in Pine Bluff, received an overall grade of F.
Students at Friendship scored 23% proficiency in ELA, 29% in math, and 23% in science. While the charter network met or exceeded state averages in math, it fell short in other areas.
Friendship operates under a “slow-growth” model—adding one grade level each year—and did not have graduation rate data available.
OTHER DELTAPLEX AREA SCHOOL GRADES:
CLEVELAND COUNTY SCHOOLS – C
Rison Elementary- C
Rison High School – B
DERMOTT – D
Dermott Elementary School – F
Dermott High School – C
DREW CENTRAL – C
Drew Central Elementary- C
Drew Central Middle School – C
Drew Central High School – B
DUMAS – C
Reed Elementary – F
Dumas Middle School – D
Dumas High School – C
ENGLAND – C
England Elementary School – C
England High School – C
FORDYCE – F
Fordyce Elementary School – F
Fordyce High School – F
McGEHEE – C
McGehee Elementary School – C
McGehee Middle School – D
McGehee High School – C
MONTICELLO – C
Monticello Elementary School – B
Monticello Intermediate School – B
Monticello Middle School – F
Monticello High School – C
POYEN – A
Poyen Elementary School – A
Poyen High School – A
SHERIDAN – B
East End Elementary School – D
East End Intermediate School – D
East End Middle School – A
Sheridan Elementary School – C
Sheridan Intermediate School – C
Sheridan Middle School – B
Sheridan High School – C
STAR CITY – C
Star City Elementary School – D
Star City Junior High School – C
Star City High School – B
WARREN – C
Warren Elementary School – D
Warren Middle School – (No data available)
Warren High School – C
WOODLAWN – C
Woodlawn Elementary School – B
Woodlawn High School – C
