For the 2026 school year, there are 2 public middle schools serving 634 students in St. Francis County, AR.
The top-ranked public middle schools in St. Francis County, AR are Palestine-wheatley Senior High School and Forrest City Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
St. Francis County, AR public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 20% (versus the Arkansas public middle school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 32% (versus the 42% statewide average). Middle schools in St. Francis County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arkansas public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public middle school average of 41% (majority Black).
Best Public Middle Schools in St. Francis County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Palestine-wheatley Senior High School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 47%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
7950 Hwy. 70 West
Palestine, AR 72372
(870) 581-2425
Palestine, AR 72372
(870) 581-2425
Gr: 7-12 | 378 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 16%
Rank: #22.
Forrest City Junior High School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1133 North Division St
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 633-3230
Forrest City, AR 72335
(870) 633-3230
Gr: 7-8 | 270 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 97%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in St. Francis County, AR?
The top-ranked public middle schools in St. Francis County, AR include Palestine-wheatley Senior High School and Forrest City Junior High School.
How many public middle schools are located in St. Francis County?
2 public middle schools are located in St. Francis County.
What is the racial composition of students in St. Francis County?
St. Francis County public middle schools minority enrollment is 49% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public middle schools average of 41% (majority Black).
Recent Articles
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.