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Excellent

#23 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 2% in state

Ward Central Elementary

Elementary School · CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

1570 WILSON LOOP, Ward, AR 72176

Enrollment

521

Student-Teacher

14.9:1

Score

8.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#23 of 1,036

In district

#1 of 16

CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Ward Central Elementary

8.9/10

Elementary School in Ward · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Cabot Middle School North

7.2/10

2.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Cabot Freshman Academy

6.6/10

3.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Ward Central Elementary

Ward Central Elementary is a public elementary school in Ward, AR, part of CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT. Ward Central Elementary serves approximately 521 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Ward Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10 and ranks #23 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Ward Central Elementary show 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.3 pts above district
  • This school 8.9 · Excellent
  • District avg 7.6
  • AR avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.83 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency70.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency52.7% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+30.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.7 pts
Overall Proficiency62% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)37% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+24.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile96th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio14.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,792
Chronic Absenteeism6.7%

Ward Central Elementary — Students at Ward Central Elementary score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

59.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 68.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
41.5% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 56.0% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.7% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 34 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
82%
ELA
71%
2010
Math
88%
ELA
78%
2011
Math
90%
ELA
88%
2012
Math
88%
ELA
83%
2013
Math
81%
ELA
83%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
55%
ELA
41%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
36%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
40%
2018
Math
72%
ELA
54%
2019
Math
72%
ELA
54%
2020*
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
70.6%
ELA
52.7%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Ward Central Elementary Compares

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

Overall Score
8.9/10
98th percentile in AR
Academic
9.8/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
7.1/10
Very Good
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
35 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
6.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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. WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Cabot), with a very similar rating. Another option is MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ELEM SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 6.0 miles away, in nearby Cabot), with a comparable rating. Additionally, EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Cabot), a more accessible option. 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 7.2
CABOT FRESHMAN ACADEMY Cabot 3.4 mi 6.6
CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH Cabot 3.5 mi 7.5
STAGECOACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 4.1 mi 7.4
EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 3.9 mi 7.8
CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot 3.9 mi 6.6
NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 4.1 mi 6.9
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 4.6 mi 6.1
BEEBE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Beebe 5.2 mi 7.8
BEEBE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Beebe 5.3 mi 5.8
BEEBE HIGH SCHOOL Beebe 5.3 mi 5.9
CABOT JUNIOR HIGH SOUTH Cabot 5.6 mi 7.2
BEEBE MIDDLE SCHOOL Beebe 5.3 mi 6.2
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 5.3 mi 8.7
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cabot 5.7 mi 7.3
CABOT MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH Cabot 5.7 mi 6.2
BEEBE EARLY CHILDHOOD Beebe 5.6 mi 4.4
NEW HORIZON ACADEMY Ward 5.8 mi 5.8
CABOT PANTHER ACADEMY Cabot 6.2 mi 5.4
MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ELEM SCHOOL Cabot 6.0 mi 8.1

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jonesboro, AR 8.9
CHENAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 9.0
JANIE DARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR 8.8
JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 9.0
MURFREESBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Murfreesboro, AR 9.0
RIVERCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wilson, AR 8.8

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 ranks #23 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Ward Central Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?

Ward Central Elementary has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ward Central Elementary?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Ward Central Elementary has 68% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
23 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
6.7%

District

CABOT SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
10,635
Schools in District
16
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,792
District Rank
#1 of 16

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