Very Good
#337 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 33% in state
Ward Central Elementary
Elementary School · CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT
1570 WILSON LOOP, Ward, AR 72176
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
521
Student-Teacher
14.9:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas elementary schools
#155 of 509
In district
#7 of 16
CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Ward Central Elementary
Ward Central Elementary serves 521 students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Ward, Arkansas, maintaining a comfortable student-teacher ratio of 14.9:1 with 35 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school has earned recognition as one of Arkansas's top elementary schools, ranking 72nd out of 1,044 schools statewide and placing in the 93rd percentile with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.6 out of 10. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, particularly in mathematics where 67% of students achieve proficiency or above across grade levels.
Reading and language arts show 47% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards. These results contribute to the school's impressive 9.0 out of 10 academic score, reflecting consistent educational quality that serves families well. Ward Central Elementary draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $67,380 and median home values average $150,900.
The surrounding area maintains a 12.8% poverty rate, while 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. Located on Wilson Loop in this large suburban community of over 8,700 residents in Lonoke County, Ward Central Elementary provides quality elementary education in a growing suburban setting that balances accessibility with academic excellence.
Score Breakdown
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Ward Central Elementary — Students at Ward Central Elementary score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.1%
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: 6.6/10.
How Ward Central Elementary Compares
See how Ward Central Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 47% (2022).
Location
1570 WILSON LOOP, Ward, AR 72176
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ward Central Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Cabot), which scores slightly higher. Another option is STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Cabot), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Cabot), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Ward, see our Ward schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL NORTH Cabot | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| CABOT FRESHMAN ACADEMY Cabot | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH Cabot | 3.5 mi | 5.5 |
| STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 4.1 mi | 7.6 |
| EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
| NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 4.1 mi | 4.4 |
| CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| BEEBE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Beebe | 5.2 mi | 6.1 |
| BEEBE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beebe | 5.3 mi | 7.0 |
| BEEBE HIGH SCHOOL Beebe | 5.3 mi | 5.8 |
| CABOT JUNIOR HIGH SOUTH Cabot | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| BEEBE MIDDLE SCHOOL Beebe | 5.3 mi | 7.1 |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 5.3 mi | 7.3 |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot | 5.7 mi | 6.6 |
| CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH Cabot | 5.7 mi | 6.7 |
| BEEBE EARLY CHILDHOOD Beebe | 5.6 mi | 4.6 |
| NEW HORIZON ACADEMY Ward | 5.8 mi | 5.8 |
| CABOT PANTHER ACADEMY Cabot | 6.2 mi | 5.7 |
| MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ELEM SCHOOL Cabot | 6.0 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72176 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$77,511
Median Home Value
$165,000
Median Rent
$995/mo
Population
8,895
College Educated
17.9%
Homeownership
69.4%
Avg Commute
32.3 min
Poverty Rate
13.1%
Median Age
33.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ward Central Elementary has a median household income of $77,511. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $165,000, with a median rent of $995/month. The area has a poverty rate of 13.1%. The average commute for residents is 32 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 |
|---|---|
| BAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bay, AR | 7.0 |
| BOBBY G LESTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, AR | 7.0 |
| BONNIE GRIMES ELEM. SCHOOL Rogers, AR | 7.0 |
| MAUMELLE CHARTER ELEMENTARY Maumelle, AR | 7.0 |
| VANDERGRIFF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR | 7.0 |
| APPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ward Central Elementary
What grades does Ward Central Elementary serve?
Ward Central Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Ward Central Elementary?
Ward Central Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 521 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ward Central Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Ward Central Elementary is 14.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ward Central Elementary rank in AR?
Ward Central Elementary is ranked #337 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Ward Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Ward Central Elementary has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Ward Central Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ward Central Elementary has 65.3% math proficiency and 47.7% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ward Central Elementary a charter school?
No, Ward Central Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ward Central Elementary a Title I school?
No, Ward Central Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ward Central Elementary?
59.1% of students at Ward Central Elementary 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
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,351/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Ward). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 521
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 59.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Lonoke County
- Phone
- (501) 843-9601
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 10,635
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,792
- District Rank
- #7 of 16
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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