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Downtown MalvernPhoto: Chris Litherland · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Malvern · Malvern Special School District

Malvern’s public schools score below 71% of Arkansas districts on tests and graduation

In Malvern, 23% of tested students are proficient in math, below the Arkansas average (38%). The grade covers the public school district serving Malvern, 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.

#105of 123 Arkansas townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
24%
▼ 16 pts vs AR 40%
2021–22
Math proficiency
23%
▼ 15 pts vs AR 38%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90–94%
▲ 0–4 pts vs AR 90%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$15.5K
▲ 14% vs AR $13.6K
FY2024
Students per teacher
12.1
AR 12.4
Schools in town
4
1,876 students on the public path
In brief

Malvern’s schools, in brief

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 24% of tested students were proficient in reading and 23% in math, against 40% and 38% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90–94% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas (the state reports Malvern’s rate as a range). Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $15,541 per student, against $13,585 across Arkansas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one middle and one high school

From grade 7 the district’s path is Malvern Middle School, then Malvern High School. See the path ↓

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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Malvern’s grade

C− Test scoresB− Graduation

C: better than 29% of Arkansas school districts, #105 of 123 Arkansas towns. Graduation is above the Arkansas average; test scores are below it.

Arkansas school districts we grade (261)Better than 29%
Lower resultsHigher results
Arkansas towns with similar household incomes (277)Better than 27%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 1,143 test results and a graduating class of 139 could put Malvern anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 100% of Malvern’s students in the tested grades sat them (1,146 in math, 1,140 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Malvern, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–4Malvern Elementary SchoolMalvern Special School DistrictC−
7–8Malvern Middle SchoolMalvern Special School DistrictC−
9–12Malvern High SchoolMalvern Special School DistrictD

Malvern’s public schools are run by Malvern Special School District, which also serves Carthage, Midway, Perla and Rockport. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Malvern Special School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 4 schools · 1,876 students, down 4% since 2020–21 · 12.1 per teacher (AR 12.4)
$15,541AR $13,585 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading24%
State average 39.9% · 1140 students tested
Math23%
State average 38.3% · 1146 students tested

Malvern vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Arkansas towns that share Malvern’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
MalvernCMalvern Special
Rockport—Malvern Special
Perla—Malvern Special

All 2 neighbors share Malvern Special with Malvern, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.

Every school in Malvern

4 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).

District schools in Malvernby address
Malvern Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–4
C−
781 students17:1Rate it →
Wilson Intermediate School
Middle · Grades 5–6
D
272 students17:1Rate it →
Malvern Middle School
Middle · Grades 7–8
C−
264 students9:1Rate it →
Malvern High School
High · Grades 9–12
D
559 students9:1Rate it →

Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Asu Three Rivers Career Center).

Questions about Malvern’s schools

Are Malvern’s schools good?

On Arkansas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Malvern children attend score below 71% of Arkansas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #105 of 123 Arkansas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 27%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Malvern in?

Malvern Special School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 1,876 students in 4 schools (2024–25).

Where do Malvern kids go to high school?

Malvern High School, with 559 students; its own test results earn a D.

What is Malvern’s graduation rate?

90–94% of the class of 2023 in Malvern Special School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Arkansas.

How much does Malvern spend per student?

$15,541 in Malvern Special School District (FY2024), against $13,585 across Arkansas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Parents talk

What Malvern families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Malvern → 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.