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Very Good

#322 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 31% in state

Shirley High School

High School · SHIRLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

154 SCHOOL DR, Shirley, AR 72153

Enrollment

134

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.1

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Shirley

#1 of 2

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#92 of 277

In district

#1 of 2

SHIRLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Shirley High School

SHIRLEY HIGH SCHOOL is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Shirley, Arkansas. The school serves students from seventh grade through twelfth grade with an enrollment of 134 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.2:1. With 12 full-time equivalent teachers on staff, SHIRLEY HIGH SCHOOL aims to provide a supportive learning environment for its diverse student body.

The academic performance at Shirley High School currently stands at the 24th percentile among Arkansas schools, with a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and an Academic Score of 3.7 out of 10. In terms of proficiency rates, 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 27% are proficient or above in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school can focus on improving student development and academic achievement.

Shirley High School is nestled in a rural community with limited access to urban amenities but offers a close-knit setting for students to grow and learn together.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 134 students, Shirley High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

Located in a rural area, Shirley 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 Progress5.0Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.59 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics5.8Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile41th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,610

Shirley High School — Students at Shirley High School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 27.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 37.0%
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
37%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
37%

* 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: 5.0/10.

How Shirley High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.1/10
69th percentile in AR
Academic
5.8/10
5.8/10
Growth
5.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
12 teachers

Location

154 SCHOOL DR, Shirley, AR 72153

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Shirley High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 9.7 miles away, in nearby Greers Ferry), which scores notably higher. Another option is RURAL SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Fox), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 9.8 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Shirley, see our Shirley schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 18.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SHIRLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shirley 0.1 mi 4.3
RURAL SPECIAL ELEM. SCHOOL Fox 6.6 mi 6.2
RURAL SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL Fox 6.6 mi 7.8
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greers Ferry 9.7 mi 7.1
WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Greers Ferry 9.7 mi 9.2
CLINTON JR HIGH SCHOOL Clinton 9.8 mi 6.1
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Clinton 9.8 mi 7.1
CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clinton 10.0 mi 7.1
TIMBO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Timbo 14.8 mi 8.9
TIMBO HIGH SCHOOL Timbo 14.8 mi 5.9
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bee Branch 16.6 mi 6.9
SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Bee Branch 16.6 mi 6.4
QUITMAN HIGH SCHOOL Quitman 20.0 mi 6.6
QUITMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Quitman 20.0 mi 6.6
QUITMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quitman 20.1 mi 5.0
MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. SCHOOL Mountain View 18.6 mi 4.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL Mountain View 18.7 mi 6.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain View 18.7 mi 7.3
LESLIE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Leslie 18.4 mi 6.1
HEBER SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Heber Springs 18.9 mi 5.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72153 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,561

Median Home Value

$124,000

Population

3,982

College Educated

9.3%

Homeownership

88.5%

Avg Commute

29.5 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

37.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Shirley High School has a median household income of $49,561. It is a community where 9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,000. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute for residents is 30 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
CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL Concord, AR 7.1
SUBIACO ACADEMY Subiaco, AR 7.2
GUY-PERKINS HIGH SCHOOL Guy, AR 6.9
DERMOTT HIGH SCHOOL Dermott, AR 7.3
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK Little Rock, AR 7.3
DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL Decatur, AR 7.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Shirley High School

What grades does Shirley High School serve?

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

How many students attend Shirley High School?

Shirley High School has an enrollment of approximately 134 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Shirley High School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Shirley High School rank in AR?

Shirley High School is ranked #322 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Shirley High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Shirley High School has a composite rating of 7.1 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 Shirley High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Shirley High School has 27.0% math proficiency and 37.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Shirley High School a charter school?

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

Is Shirley High School a Title I school?

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

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

100.0% of students at Shirley 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
5 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (1,362/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
134
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
12
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Van Buren County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SHIRLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
315
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,013
District Rank
#1 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.

Read our full methodology

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