Edward L. Westbrooke Building · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0Jonesboro’s public schools score below 70% of Arkansas districts on tests and graduation
On the state reading tests, 27% of Jonesboro’s students scored proficient, below the Arkansas average (40%). The grade covers the two public school districts serving Jonesboro, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Arkansas, not nationally.
From Arkansas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Jonesboro’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 265 Arkansas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Jonesboro’s, its schools beat 25%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 27% of tested students were proficient in reading and 27% in math, against 40% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
Nettleton spends $13,490 per student and Jonesboro $12,862, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Neither counts toward the grade. Districts ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ridgefield Christian School (private), Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (private), Montessori School of Jonesboro (private), Miracle Kids Success Academy (private), The Academy of TLC (private) and All Saints Lutheran School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Jonesboro’s grade
C: better than 30% of Arkansas school districts, #103 of 123 Arkansas towns. Both inputs trail the Arkansas average; graduation is the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Jonesboro, with each school’s own grade.
10th grade in Jonesboro · depends on your address
The Academies at Jonesboro High School
Grades 7–12 · 1,505 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Nettleton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,054 students · 12:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Jonesboro · depends on your address
The Academies at Jonesboro High School
Grades 7–12 · 1,505 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Nettleton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,054 students · 12:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Jonesboro · depends on your address
The Academies at Jonesboro High School
Grades 7–12 · 1,505 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Nettleton High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,054 students · 12:1 students per teacher
Jonesboro runs its own schools through grade 12 (Nettleton School District). From grade PK, students attend the Jonesboro Public Schools. Parts of Jonesboro (17%, 4% and 2% of its land) are served by Valley View, Brookland and Bay instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
Two districts serve Jonesboro
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Jonesboro vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Jonesboro’s borders.
Every school in Jonesboro
28 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Arkansas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center).
Questions about Jonesboro’s schools
Are Jonesboro’s schools good?
On Arkansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Jonesboro children attend score below 70% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #103 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 25%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Jonesboro in?
Two districts: Nettleton School District runs grades PK–12, and Jonesboro Public Schools runs grades PK–12.
Where do Jonesboro kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: The Academies at Jonesboro High School and Nettleton High School.
What is Jonesboro’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Jonesboro Public Schools graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.
How much does Jonesboro spend per student?
$13,490 in Nettleton School District and $12,862 in Jonesboro Public Schools (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Jonesboro?
Yes: Ridgefield Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 186 students), Blessed Sacrament Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–6, 139 students), Montessori School of Jonesboro (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 100 students), Miracle Kids Success Academy (special education, grades , 65 students), The Academy of TLC (special education, grades K–3, 24 students) and All Saints Lutheran School (religious, grades 1–11, 17 students).
Parents talk
What Jonesboro families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Jonesboro → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Arkansas. Stars are from neighbors.