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Average

#446 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 43% in state

Acorn Elementary School

Elementary School · OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

143 POLK 96, Mena, AR 71953

Enrollment

343

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#446 of 1,036

In Mena

#2 of 6

public schools

In district

#2 of 3

OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

9.5 / 10

Excellent

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Acorn Elementary School

6.7/10

Elementary School in Mena · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Acorn High School

6.4/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Holly Harshman Elem. School

5.4/10

3.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Acorn Elementary School

Acorn Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mena, AR, part of OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT. Acorn Elementary School serves approximately 343 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Acorn Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #446 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Acorn Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above AR schools
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • AR avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Acorn Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.3Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency53.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency46.4% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+13.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+10.4 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)31% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+18.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile88th
Resources & Environment4.1Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,567
Chronic Absenteeism25.9%

Acorn Elementary School — Students at Acorn Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 55.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
36.9% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 40 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
87%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2014
Math
32%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
62%
ELA
47%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
57%
2017
Math
57%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
53.7%
ELA
46.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.3/10.

How Acorn Elementary School Compares

See how Acorn Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
57th percentile in AR
Academic
9.2/10
Excellent
Growth
6.3/10
Average
Environment
4.1/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

143 POLK 96, Mena, AR 71953

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Acorn Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. COSSATOT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 24.6 miles away, in nearby Wickes), which scores slightly higher. Another option is COSSATOT RIVER PRIMARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 19.8 miles away, in nearby Vandervoort), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HOLLY HARSHMAN ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 5.4/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Mena, see our Mena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 27.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ACORN HIGH SCHOOL Mena 0.1 mi 6.4
HOLLY HARSHMAN ELEM. SCHOOL Mena 3.9 mi 5.4
MENA HIGH SCHOOL Mena 4.0 mi 6.7
POLK COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mena 4.0 mi
MENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Mena 4.1 mi 8.0
LOUISE DURHAM ELEM. SCHOOL Mena 4.2 mi 5.3
WALDRON HIGH SCHOOL Waldron 18.8 mi 5.4
WALDRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waldron 19.0 mi 5.3
ADVENTURE ONLINE ACADEMY Waldron 19.0 mi 3.2
WALDRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Waldron 19.1 mi 6.1
COSSATOT RIVER PRIMARY SCHOOL Vandervoort 19.8 mi 6.7
COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Cove 20.3 mi 7.2
COSSATOT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wickes 24.6 mi 7.6
ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-MANSFIELD Mansfield 25.9 mi 5.5
UMPIRE K-12 SCHOOL Umpire 26.4 mi 9.2
MANSFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mansfield 29.2 mi 4.7
MANSFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL Mansfield 29.4 mi 8.0
ODEN SCHOOLS Oden 24.4 mi 6.8
MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Mansfield 29.7 mi 5.7
HEAVENER HS Heavener 27.9 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71953 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,355

Median Home Value

$144,200

Median Rent

$743/mo

Population

13,412

College Educated

19.5%

Homeownership

84.8%

Poverty Rate

15.2%

Median Age

47.8

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GREEN FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Green Forest, AR 6.7
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7
JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR 6.7
NORFORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfork, AR 6.7
PANGBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pangburn, AR 6.7
THURMAN G. SMITH ELEM. SCHOOL Springdale, AR 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Acorn Elementary School

What grades does Acorn Elementary School serve?

Acorn Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Acorn Elementary School?

Acorn Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 343 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Acorn Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Acorn Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Acorn Elementary School rank in AR?

Acorn Elementary School ranks #446 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Acorn Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Acorn Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Acorn Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Acorn Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Acorn Elementary School a charter school?

No, Acorn Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Acorn Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Acorn Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Acorn Elementary School?

77.0% of students at Acorn Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
0 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
343
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
21
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
25.9%

District

OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
758
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,567
District Rank
#2 of 3

Other Schools in This District

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