2024 Beating the Odds: High-Poverty Arkansas Schools Achieving Big Gains

Published on March 5, 2025
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Key Differences: OEP Awards vs. Arkansas Rewards and Recognition

OEP Awards

  • Focuses on growth in Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA).
  • Recognizes student improvement.
  • Awards include certificates and public recognition (no financial compensation).
  • Grouped by ESSA school level (Elementary, Middle, High).
  • Emphasizes growth in schools with students facing academic risk factors like poverty. 

Arkansas Rewards and Recognition

  • Recognizes both achievement and growth (which, for high schools is an average of growth and graduation rates).
  • Includes financial rewards for schools in the top 10%.
  • Uses a combined growth score, factoring in English language proficiency.
  • Top-performing schools are recognized regardless of school level.

Why we think OEP Awards are Better!

  1. Focus on Growth: OEP celebrates student progress and recognizes schools making significant strides, even if they don’t have high achievement scores or graduation rates.
  2. Recognition for High-Need Schools: OEP highlights schools that serve students with academic challenges, ensuring they get recognition for their progress.
  3. No Financial Incentives: OEP reduces the pressure of monetary rewards and focuses on meaningful recognition based on celebrating growth.
  4. Aligned with ESSA Levels: OEP considers the different growth dynamics across school levels, including middle schools, which are often underrepresented in state rewards due to the inclusion of graduation rates for high schools.
  5. Tailored to Student Needs: OEP recognizes growth as the most important indicator of impact on students, especially those who face barriers to achievement.
  6. Highlighting Educational Progress: OEP is dedicated to recognizing schools that demonstrate Outstanding Educational Progress, celebrating continuous improvement and acknowledging all types of student gains.

In contrast, Arkansas Rewards, while valuable, tends to place more emphasis on achievement levels and graduation rates, potentially overlooking schools that are making significant progress with at-risk students. The OEP Awards are specifically designed to recognize growth, especially in schools serving students facing higher challenges. Today, we celebrate schools where educators are ensuring that students’ financial challenges do not hinder their learning opportunities. Schools must have at least 66% of their student body eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) to be eligible for Beating the Odds awards.

Check out the details in our report.

“Beating the Odds” Elementary Level Schools Overall ATLAS Growth (Math and ELA combined)

  1. White Co. Central Elementary, White Co. Central SD (69% FRL)
  2. Green Forest Elementary, Green Forest SD (82% FRL)
  3. Wakefield Elementary, Little Rock SD (98% FRL)
  4. Decatur Northside Elementary, Decatur SD (83% FRL)
  5. Thomas C. Brunson Elementary, Warren SD (72% FRL)
  6. Friendship Aspire Academy, Friendship Aspire Academy Pine Bluff SD (79% FRL)
  7. Friendship Aspire Academy Downtown Pine Bluff, Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas SD (80% FRL)
  8. Gosnell Elementary, Gosnell SD (77% FRL)
  9. McCrory Elementary, McCrory SD (73% FRL)
  10. C.B. Partee Elementary, Brinkley SD (81% FRL)

 

“Beating the Odds” Middle Level Schools Overall ATLAS Growth (Math and ELA combined)

  1. eSTEM Junior High Public Charter School, eSTEM Public Charter SD (69% FRL)
  2. Forrest City Jr. High, Forrest City SD (80% FRL)
  3. LISA Academy Springdale, LISA Academy SD (69% FRL)
  4. Warren Middle, Warren SD (70% FRL)
  5. Morrilton Junior High, South Conway County SD (71% FRL)
  6. Atkins Middle, Atkins SD (69% FRL)
  7. Friendship Aspire Academy Little Rock Middle, Friendship Aspire Academies Arkansas SD (89% FRL)
  8. KIPP: Delta College Prep School, KIPP Delta Public SD (92% FRL)
  9. Berryville Middle, Berryville SD (67% FRL)
  10. Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock, Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock SD (85% FRL)

 

“Beating the Odds” High Schools Overall ATLAS Growth (Math and ELA combined)

  1. Yellville-Summit High, Yellville-Summit SD (71% FRL)
  2. Lamar High, Lamar SD (70% FRL)
  3. Berryville High, Berryville SD (69% FRL)
  4. Prescott High, Prescott SD (68% FRL)
  5. LISA Academy West High, LISA Academy SD (73% FRL)
  6. Umpire K-12 School, Cossatot River SD (77% FRL)
  7. Booneville High, Booneville SD (67% FRL)
  8. West Side High, West Side (Cleburne) SD (66% FRL)
  9. Malvern High, Malvern SD (74% FRL)
  10. Green Forest High, Green Forest SD (74% FRL)

 

You can see how all schools stack up in growth in our newest data visualization or a downloadable dataset for all schools in the state.

Celebrate your school on social media with #OEPBTO or #OEPAwards!