GENTRY, AR – The Gentry Public School District is celebrating a year of significant academic progress, with three of its schools—Gentry Primary, Gentry Intermediate, and Gentry High School—earning “B” ratings in the Arkansas Department of Education’s newly released letter grade accountability report. This marks a major improvement from 2023, when all schools in the district held a “C” rating.
“This progress reflects Gentry’s strong commitment to academics,” said Superintendent Dr. Tyler Broyles. “During the past year, the district invested significantly in new curriculum programs aligned to state standards. We’ve also placed a strong focus on improving both student attendance and teacher attendance, knowing that consistent time in the classroom is key to student growth. These results show that our commitment is paying off, and we are excited about the continued growth ahead.”
Letter Grade Highlights
· Gentry Primary School. improved from a “C” to a “B.”
· Gentry Intermediate School improved from a “C” to a “B” and saw a notable jump in state rankings – more than 100 spots – to be ranked in the top 30% of similar schools in the state.
· Gentry High School improved from a “C” to a “B,” with a graduation rate of 92%, exceeding the state average of 89%.
· Gentry Middle School maintained a “C,” but momentum is building under stable leadership and a focus on school culture and academic support.
Gentry’s Progress in Context
These gains come as Arkansas transitions to a new statewide evaluation system through the LEARNS Act and ATLAS assessment platform, which places more emphasis on academic growth and readiness. Schools are evaluated on five key components:
· Achievement – student performance on state tests in reading, math, and science
· Growth – how much individual students improve year over year
· Readiness – factors such as graduation rate and postsecondary preparedness
· On-Time Graduation
· Federal Accountability Alignment (ESSA compliance)
Gentry’s overall performance reflects rising momentum, particularly given its student demographics and district-wide growth.
Notable Data Points:
· Enrollment has grown 21% during the past four years, from 1,448 in 2021 to 1,780 in 2025.
· The district maintains a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of approximately 11:1.
· 39% of students identify as part of a diverse population.
· Gentry ranks in the top 50% of Arkansas school districts in combined math and reading proficiency.
Among Arkansas districts where more than half of students are eligible for free/reduced lunch, Gentry remains a standout for academic performance, especially in the Northwest region.
“What’s most exciting is that these improvements are happening across multiple campuses, across grade levels,” said Dr. Broyles. “We believe in continuous improvement, and these letter grades show that our teachers, leaders, and students are moving in the right direction together.”
Signs of Growth at Gentry Middle School
Though Gentry Middle School did not see a letter grade change this cycle, district officials believe the school is poised for meaningful growth. After years of administrative turnover, the school is now under the steady leadership of Principal Dr. Elizabeth Wieneke and Assistant Principal Taylor Lewis, Wieneke entering her second year as principal and Lewis joining her team this year.
“Leadership stability is key, and we’re already seeing positive indicators at the middle school,” said Dr. Broyles, whose son attends the school. “With strong administrative leadership, increased parent engagement, and new learning tools in place, the foundation is being built for real and lasting progress.
Looking Ahead
With renewed focus on consistent leadership, rigorous curriculum, and community partnerships, the district plans to build on this success in the coming year. Administrators say a continued focus on attendance, instructional quality, and targeted support for all learners will be key to sustaining and accelerating progress.
“We are proud of how far we’ve come, but this is just the beginning,” Dr. Broyles added. “We’re committed to ensuring every student has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success—in school, in life, and in their calling.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Mark Scott, Director of Community Engagement, Gentry Public Schools, mscott@gentrypioneers.com; 479-264-0103