Average
#626 of 1,035 schools in AR
J.f. Wahl Elementary School
Elementary School · HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
125 HICKLORY HILL, Helena, AR 72342
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
541
Student-Teacher
15.5:1
Score
5.9
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Helena
#3 of 4
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#253 of 509
In district
#2 of 2
HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.1 / 10
Strong
About J.f. Wahl Elementary School
J.F. Wahl Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in Helena, Arkansas, serving students from pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. With an enrollment of 541 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1, the school provides a relatively personalized educational experience with 35 full-time equivalent teachers.
Situated in a rural area near town, J.F. Wahl Elementary focuses on fostering community engagement and support from its local environment. The academic performance at J.F.
Wahl Elementary is currently rated at 3.4 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing the school in the 8th percentile among Arkansas schools. Test scores show that 21% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading and 17% are proficient or above in math. While these numbers indicate room for academic growth, the school is committed to supporting student development and improvement.
J.F. Wahl Elementary School benefits from its rural setting, offering a close-knit community where teachers and families work together to provide a nurturing learning environment for all students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at J.f. Wahl Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, J.f. Wahl Elementary 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
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J.f. Wahl Elementary School — Students at J.f. Wahl Elementary School score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
100%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 7.1/10.
How J.f. Wahl Elementary School Compares
See how J.f. Wahl Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 13% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 23% (2019) to 20% (2022).
Location
125 HICKLORY HILL, Helena, AR 72342
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering J.f. Wahl Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 16.9 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Clarksdale), which scores notably higher. Additionally, DUNDEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Dundee), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Helena, see our Helena schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 22.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL West Helena | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| KIPP DELTA ELEM LITERACY ACAD Helena | 1.1 mi | 6.0 |
| KIPP:DELTA COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL Helena | 1.8 mi | 5.4 |
| DESOTO SCHOOL West Helena | 2.2 mi | 6.3 |
| KIPP:DELTA COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Helena | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| BARTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barton | 8.5 mi | 4.5 |
| BARTON HIGH SCHOOL Barton | 8.5 mi | 6.1 |
| DUNDEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dundee | 9.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FRIARS POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 12.1 mi | 5.2 |
| JONESTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clarksdale | 16.9 mi | 7.9 |
| ANNA STRONG LEARNING ACADEMY Marianna | 18.3 mi | 6.0 |
| TUNICA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tunica | 16.9 mi | 5.7 |
| LEE HIGH SCHOOL Marianna | 19.5 mi | 5.3 |
| MARVELL-ELAINE HIGH SCHOOL Marvell | 17.0 mi | 5.1 |
| ROSA FORT HIGH SCHOOL Tunica | 18.2 mi | 9.0 |
| MARVELL-ELAINE ELEMENTARY SCH Marvell | 17.0 mi | 4.2 |
| TUNICA MIDDLE SCHOOL Tunica | 18.3 mi | 7.7 |
| LEE ACADEMY Clarksdale | 21.8 mi | 7.2 |
| COAHOMA COUNTY JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL Clarksdale | 22.5 mi | 6.1 |
| ST ELIZABETH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Clarksdale | 22.6 mi | 7.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72342 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,191
Median Home Value
$99,000
Median Rent
$655/mo
Population
3,971
College Educated
16.7%
Homeownership
37.2%
Poverty Rate
24.8%
Median Age
47
Community Profile
The community surrounding J.f. Wahl Elementary School has a median household income of $39,191. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $99,000, with a median rent of $655/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CROSS COUNTY ELE TECH ACADEMY Cherry Valley, AR | 5.9 |
| EAST POINTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greenwood, AR | 5.9 |
| HURRICANE CREEK ELEMENTARY Bryant, AR | 5.9 |
| JANIE DARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR | 5.9 |
| JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR | 5.9 |
| LINDA CHILDERS KNAPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Springdale, AR | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about J.f. Wahl Elementary School
What grades does J.f. Wahl Elementary School serve?
J.f. Wahl Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend J.f. Wahl Elementary School?
J.f. Wahl Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 541 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at J.f. Wahl Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at J.f. Wahl Elementary School is 15.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does J.f. Wahl Elementary School rank in AR?
J.f. Wahl Elementary School is ranked #626 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is J.f. Wahl Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
J.f. Wahl Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.9 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 J.f. Wahl Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, J.f. Wahl Elementary School has 16.7% math proficiency and 21.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is J.f. Wahl Elementary School a charter school?
No, J.f. Wahl Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is J.f. Wahl Elementary School a Title I school?
No, J.f. Wahl Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for J.f. Wahl Elementary School?
100.0% of students at J.f. Wahl 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.
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Average (258/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 541
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 100.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Phillips County
- Phone
- (870) 338-4425
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HELENA / WEST HELENA SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 977
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,610
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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.
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