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Average

#770 of 1,035 schools in AR

Acorn High School

High School · OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

143 POLK 96, Mena, AR 71953

Enrollment

267

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

5.2

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mena

#6 of 6

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#251 of 277

In district

#3 of 3

OUACHITA RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Acorn High School

ACORN HIGH SCHOOL is a regular public high school located in Mena, Arkansas, nestled in Polk County's rural setting. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 267 students and boasts a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 5 to 1 with 53 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. Academically, ACORN HIGH SCHOOL is rated at 4.3 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 776th school among 1044 in Arkansas, placing it in the 26th percentile overall.

In specific subject areas, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading while only 30% meet proficiency standards in Math, indicating areas for growth but also a strong community focus on student development. While the school's setting is somewhat isolated, it benefits from tight-knit relationships among its diverse group of teachers and students. ACORN HIGH SCHOOL provides a supportive environment with dedicated educators who strive to help each student reach their full potential, despite current academic challenges.

The rural atmosphere offers a unique backdrop for learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Acorn High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Acorn High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.0Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-6.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness4.3Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation7.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,894

Acorn High School — Students at Acorn High School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 30.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.0/10.

How Acorn High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
26th percentile in AR
Academic
5.4/10
5.4/10
Growth
4.0/10
Below average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

143 POLK 96, Mena, AR 71953

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Acorn High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. MENA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-MANSFIELD (rated 7.2/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Mansfield), which scores notably higher. Additionally, COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 20.3 miles away, in nearby Cove), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mena, see our Mena schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.1 mi
School Distance Rating
ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mena 0.1 mi 5.5
HOLLY HARSHMAN ELEM. SCHOOL Mena 3.8 mi 6.4
MENA HIGH SCHOOL Mena 4.0 mi 7.6
POLK COUNTY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Mena 4.0 mi
MENA MIDDLE SCHOOL Mena 4.0 mi 8.4
LOUISE DURHAM ELEM. SCHOOL Mena 4.2 mi 5.4
WALDRON HIGH SCHOOL Waldron 18.9 mi 6.2
WALDRON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Waldron 19.1 mi 4.4
ADVENTURE ONLINE ACADEMY Waldron 19.0 mi 6.7
WALDRON MIDDLE SCHOOL Waldron 19.2 mi 4.9
COSSATOT RIVER PRIMARY SCHOOL Vandervoort 19.8 mi 6.3
COSSATOT RIVER HIGH SCHOOL Cove 20.3 mi 6.4
COSSATOT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wickes 24.6 mi 8.2
ARKANSAS CONSOLIDATED HIGH SCHOOL-MANSFIELD Mansfield 26.0 mi 7.2
UMPIRE K-12 SCHOOL Umpire 26.3 mi 8.6
MANSFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mansfield 29.3 mi 5.0
ODEN SCHOOLS Oden 24.3 mi 5.4
MANSFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL Mansfield 29.5 mi 9.1
MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Mansfield 29.8 mi 6.4
HEAVENER HS Heavener 28.1 mi 5.0

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Acorn High School has a median household income of $52,355. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $144,200, with a median rent of $743/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.2%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BRINKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Brinkley, AR 5.2
FOUKE HIGH SCHOOL Fouke, AR 5.2
HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton, AR 5.2
SPRING HILL HIGH SCHOOL Hope, AR 5.2
COUNTY LINE HIGH SCHOOL Branch, AR 5.3
GREENLAND HIGH SCHOOL Greenland, AR 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Acorn High School

What grades does Acorn High School serve?

Acorn High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Acorn High School?

Acorn High School has an enrollment of approximately 267 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Acorn High School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Acorn High School rank in AR?

Acorn High School is ranked #770 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Acorn High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Acorn High School has a composite rating of 5.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Acorn High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Acorn High School has 30.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Acorn High School a charter school?

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

Is Acorn High School a Title I school?

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

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

61.4% of students at Acorn High 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

City Safety
High (2,965/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Mena). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
267
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
61.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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