Below Average

#860 of 1,035 schools in AR

Central Elementary School

Elementary School · MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

456 E NORTH ST, Magnolia, AR 71753

Last updated: May 2026

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

3rd – 5th

Enrollment

545

Student-Teacher

16.5:1

Score

4.8

Grades

3rd – 5th

Updated
2022-23

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Magnolia

#5 of 5

public schools

Arkansas elementary schools

#375 of 509

In district

#5 of 5

MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

About Central Elementary School

Central Elementary School is a regular public school located in Magnolia, Arkansas, nestled in the remote town of Columbia County. With an enrollment of 545 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16.5:1, Central Elementary provides personalized attention to each child's educational needs. The school serves grades three through five with 33 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to their academic growth.

Academically, Central Elementary School has a MySchoolScout Rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks 731st among the state’s 1044 schools, placing it around the 30th percentile in Arkansas. Test scores indicate that 30% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 39% in Math, showing areas where further development is needed. While there isn't specific neighborhood information available, Central Elementary School contributes to the community by providing a supportive learning environment for its young scholars.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics

Student Progress4.3Below Average50%

Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.

View breakdown

Years of Data3

Annual Change-4.17 pts/yr

Data Period2019–2022

TrendDeclining

Academics5.5Average30%

Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.

View breakdown

Math Proficiency37%

Reading/ELA Proficiency27%

Overall Proficiency32%

Expected (poverty-adj.)36%

vs. Expected-3.6 pts

Adjusted Percentile37th

College Readiness—Not Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment4.8Below Average20%

Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.

View breakdown

Student-Teacher Ratio16.5:1

Per-Pupil Spending$11,984

Central Elementary School — Students at Central Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 39.0%

School

State

N/A

ELA Proficiency 30.0%

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

46%

ELA

41%

2021*

Math

34%

ELA

22%

2022

Math

37%

ELA

27%

* 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: 4.3/10.

How Central Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score

4.8/10

17th percentile in AR

Academic

5.5/10

Growth

4.3/10

Below average

Environment

4.8/10

Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch

Students eligible for subsidized meals

77%

Teaching Staff

17:1 student-teacher ratio

33 teachers

Performance Trends

Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 37% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 27% (2022).

Location

456 E NORTH ST, Magnolia, AR 71753

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Central Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.3/10, 12.0 miles away, in nearby Emerson), which scores notably higher. Another option is TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 17.4 miles away, in nearby Taylor), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NEVADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 22.5 miles away, in nearby Rosston), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Magnolia, see our Magnolia schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.1 mi

School	Distance	Enrollment	Rating
MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Magnolia	0.1 mi	528	6.7
EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Magnolia	0.8 mi	632	6.1
MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL Magnolia	1.0 mi	807	7.2
COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Magnolia	2.1 mi	170	6.7
WALKER PRE-K CENTER Magnolia	3.1 mi	119	5.7
EMERSON HIGH SCHOOL Emerson	12.0 mi	149	6.0
EMERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Emerson	12.0 mi	190	9.3
LAFAYETTE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Lewisville	15.8 mi	236	4.9
TAYLOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Taylor	17.4 mi	331	7.8
TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL Taylor	17.4 mi	259	7.2
Haynesville Jr./Sr. High School Haynesville	22.3 mi	251	7.1
NEVADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rosston	22.5 mi	227	6.3
NEVADA HIGH SCHOOL Rosston	22.5 mi	206	5.7
North Webster Lower Elementary School Shongaloo	22.7 mi	152	4.4
Haynesville Elementary School Haynesville	22.7 mi	303	4.2
SOUTH ARKANSAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, INC Lewisville	19.5 mi	42	6.6
Browning Elementary School Springhill	22.2 mi	274	5.4
North Webster High School Springhill	22.7 mi	512	5.3
LAFAYETTE COUNTY ELEMENTARY Lewisville	20.8 mi	244	5.4
Brown Upper Elementary School Springhill	23.1 mi	183	4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71753 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$45,714

Median Home Value

$166,900

Median Rent

$625/mo

Population

16,089

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

62.6%

Avg Commute

19.1 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

31.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Central Elementary School has a median household income of $45,714. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $166,900, with a median rent of $625/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School	Enrollment	Rating
MALVERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Malvern, AR	680	4.8
MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy, AR	450	4.8
NELSON WILKS HERRON ELEMENTARY Mountain Home, AR	531	4.8
BISMARCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck, AR	374	4.7
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR	567	4.7
GENTRY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Gentry, AR	362	4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Elementary School

What grades does Central Elementary School serve?

Central Elementary School serves students in grades 3rd through 5th.

How many students attend Central Elementary School?

Central Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 545 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Central Elementary School is 16.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Central Elementary School rank in AR?

Central Elementary School is ranked #860 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Central Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Central Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Central Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Central Elementary School has 39.0% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Central Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Central Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

76.9% of students at Central 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.

Explore More Schools

All schools in Magnolia, AR Schools in AR MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT District 20 nearby schools

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety: High (3,061/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades: 3rd – 5th
Enrollment: 545
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16.5:1
Teachers (FTE): 33
Free/Reduced Lunch: 76.9%
Type: regular
Setting: Remote Town
County: Columbia County
Phone: (870) 234-4911
Data Year: 2023–2024

Resources & Links

School Website ↗ Google Maps & Reviews ↗ GreatSchools Profile ↗ Niche Reviews ↗ Official NCES Data ↗

District

MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICT

District Enrollment: 2,631
Schools in District: 5
Per-Pupil Spending: $13,374
District Rank: #5 of 5

Other Schools in This District

MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL 7.2 MAGNOLIA MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.7 EAST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.1 WALKER PRE-K CENTER 5.7

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

Data sources

NCES CCDSY 2022-23 AR EDFACTS2021-22 NCES EdFacts2019–2022 Census ACS2019-2023 AI description MySchoolScout Rankings2024 Full details →

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