Several Faulkner County schools were rated among the top in the state, and the nation, according to recent rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.  

Greenbrier High School was rated the No. 5 high school in the state and among the top 5% of high schools in the country, while Conway High School was rated the No. 14 high school in the state and among the top 12% of high schools nationally. 

“This achievement reflects the exceptional qualities of our students and teachers who continually strive for success and embody the values that make our high school a center of academic excellence,” said Kate Worley, principal of Conway High School. 

A handful of county elementary schools were also counted among the top 100 primary schools. They included the following: 

• No. 5 Springhill Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools 
• No. 11 Wooster Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• No. 20 Eastside Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• No. 29 Westside Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• No. 38 Woodrow Cummins Elementary School, Conway Public Schools
• No. 62 Julia Lee Moore Elementary School, Conway Public Schools

Greenbrier Superintendent Scott Spainhour said the district’s success comes from years of work, a focus on learning, and well-trained, committed teachers. 

“We have systems in place that catch gaps in learning for our students, and then work to create time to address those skill gaps,” Spainhour said. “That is the big thing, what are they missing and when do you find time to address it.” 

Conway Superintendent Jeff Collum attributed much of the district’s success as a direct result of the hard work and dedication of its teachers. 

“Our teachers go above and beyond to inspire and support students, fostering a positive and intellectually stimulating learning environment,” he said. “We will continue to build upon this success, fostering an environment that encourages the growth and achievement of every student at Conway Public Schools.” 

Several county schools also received high marks from the state Division of Elementary & Secondary Education in its annual School Report Card. For the 2022-23 school year, there were 22 county schools that received an A or B grade.

The following schools received an A grade from the state:

• Julia Lee Moore Elementary School, Conway Public Schools
• Woodrow Cummins Elementary School, Conway Public Schools
• Carolyn Lewis Elementary School, Conway Public Schools
• Conway Junior High School, Conway Public Schools
• Wooster Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Vilonia Elementary School, Vilonia Public Schools
• Vilonia Middle School, Vilonia Public Schools

The following schools received a B grade from the state:

• Ellen Smith Elementary School, Conway Public Schools
• Carl Stuart Middle School, Conway Public Schools
• Ruth Doyle Middle School, Conway Public Schools
• Ray & Phyllis Simon Middle School, Conway Public Schools
• Eastside Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Greenbrier Middle School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Westside Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Greenbrier Junior High School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Springhill Elementary School, Greenbrier Public Schools
• Mt. Vernon-Enola Elementary School, Mt. Vernon-Enola School District
• Mt. Vernon-Enola High School, Mt. Vernon-Enola School District
• Vilonia High School, Vilonia Public Schools
• Vilonia Primary School, Vilonia Public Schools
• Frank Mitchell Intermediate School, Vilonia Public Schools