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Very Good

#287 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 28% in state

Malvern High School

High School · MALVERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

525 E HIGHLAND AVE, Malvern, AR 72104

Enrollment

575

Student-Teacher

7.8:1

Score

7.2

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Malvern

#2 of 9

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#78 of 277

In district

#1 of 4

MALVERN SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.2 / 10

Exceptional

About Malvern High School

Malvern High School is a regular public high school located in Malvern, Arkansas, on the eastern edge of Hot Spring County. Situated at 525 E Highland Ave, it serves students from grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 575 students and a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1. The school boasts 74 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic needs of its diverse student body.

Academically, Malvern High School ranks as the 581st out of 1044 high schools in Arkansas, placing it at the 44th percentile according to MySchoolScout's ranking system. The school’s academic performance is currently rated at 2.7 out of 10, with a proficiency rate of 30% for ELA and reading and 19% for math. While these scores indicate areas where improvement is needed, the dedicated staff continues to focus on enhancing student development and academic achievement.

Malvern High School is situated in a town that lies on the fringe of an urban area, offering students a mix of rural charm and access to nearby city amenities. This setting provides a unique blend of community support and resources for its students as they navigate their high school years.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Malvern High 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1, Malvern 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.6Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency29%
Overall Proficiency24%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-12.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness9.2Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation24.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.2Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio7.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,071

Malvern High School — Students at Malvern High School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

73.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 19.3%
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
25%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
14%
ELA
25%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
29%

* 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: 6.6/10.

How Malvern High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.2/10
72th percentile in AR
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
6.6/10
Above average
Environment
9.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

525 E HIGHLAND AVE, Malvern, AR 72104

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Malvern High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. POYEN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 9.4 miles away, in nearby Poyen), with a very similar rating. Another option is LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 13.7 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Benton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Malvern, see our Malvern schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.7 mi
School Distance Rating
MALVERN MIDDLE SCHOOL Malvern 0.2 mi 6.9
WILSON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Malvern 1.7 mi 4.5
MALVERN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Malvern 2.1 mi 4.8
AMBASSADOR BAPTIST ACADEMY Malvern 2.5 mi 6.8
MAGNET COVE HIGH SCHOOL Malvern 6.4 mi 5.4
MAGNET COVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Malvern 6.7 mi 5.1
GLEN ROSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Malvern 8.1 mi 7.6
GLEN ROSE MIDDLE SCHOOL Malvern 8.1 mi 5.3
GLEN ROSE HIGH SCHOOL Malvern 8.2 mi 6.2
POYEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poyen 9.4 mi 8.7
POYEN HIGH SCHOOL Poyen 9.4 mi 7.0
OUACHITA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Donaldson 12.0 mi 8.0
OUACHITA HIGH SCHOOL Donaldson 12.1 mi 5.6
HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Benton 14.0 mi 6.4
HARMONY GROVE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Benton 14.0 mi 6.9
LAKESIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.5 mi 6.0
HARMONY GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Benton 14.0 mi 7.9
WESTBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton 14.1 mi 5.9
LAKESIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.6 mi 5.8
LAKESIDE HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.7 mi 6.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72104 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,492

Median Home Value

$117,300

Median Rent

$768/mo

Population

23,222

College Educated

15%

Homeownership

72%

Avg Commute

27.1 min

Poverty Rate

19%

Median Age

42

Community Profile

The community surrounding Malvern High School has a median household income of $51,492. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $117,300, with a median rent of $768/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.0%. The average commute for residents is 27 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR 7.2
ESTEM HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 7.3
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Clinton, AR 7.1
SOUTHSIDE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Batesville, AR 7.1
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL West Helena, AR 7.4
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL Dover, AR 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Malvern High School

What grades does Malvern High School serve?

Malvern High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Malvern High School?

Malvern High School has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Malvern High School is 7.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Malvern High School rank in AR?

Malvern High School is ranked #287 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Malvern High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Malvern High School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Malvern High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Malvern High School has 19.3% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Malvern High School a charter school?

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

Is Malvern High School a Title I school?

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

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

73.7% of students at Malvern 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

Walk Score
53 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
44 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,057/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher Ratio
7.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
73.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Hot Spring County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MALVERN SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,825
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,806
District Rank
#1 of 4

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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