ARKADELPHIA, AR – Arkadelphia High School graduates are proving what this community has always believed — that when we invest in our young people, great things happen. New data released by the Arkadelphia Promise shows that AHS students are reaching all-time highs in both college enrollment and retention, outpacing the state and national averages.
These results highlight what makes Arkadelphia special: a community that stands behind its students from kindergarten through college and beyond.
More Arkadelphia Graduates Are Continuing Their Education Than Ever Before
In 2025, 78.1% of AHS graduates continued their education after high school. Out of 119 graduates, 93 students are pursuing college, technical training, or other post-secondary programs. This remarkable achievement sets a new record for Arkadelphia High School and surpasses state and national college-going rates:
AHS College-Going Rate (2025): 78.1%
Arkansas Rate (ADHE-2023): 42.1%
National Rate (US Bureau of Labor-2023): 61.4%
Since the Arkadelphia Promise began in 2011, the percentage of AHS graduates continuing their education has remained well above the state average, but this year’s record underscores the lasting impact of a community that refuses to let financial barriers limit opportunity.
Arkadelphia Students Are Persisting and Thriving
Starting college is one thing, but staying in college takes determination, support, and preparation. Arkadelphia students are excelling here, too. The freshman-to-sophomore retention rate among AHS graduates hit an all-time high of 85.3% with the Class of 2024, meaning that nearly nine out of ten students are successfully continuing into their second year.
For comparison:
AHS Retention Rate (2024): 85.3%
Arkansas Rate (ADHE-2022): 74.7%
National Rate (U.S. News and World Report-2023): 78%
Over the past nine years, AHS graduates have consistently outperformed state and national averages, a testament to the preparation they receive and the encouragement they carry from home.
A Promise That’s Changing Futures
At the heart of this success is the Arkadelphia Promise, a community-funded scholarship supported by the Ross Foundation and Southern Bancorp. Since its launch in 2010, the program has provided more than $5.3 million in scholarships, investing $400,000–$500,000 each year to help Arkadelphia graduates pursue higher education and career training.
The Promise covers a wide range of postsecondary paths — from two- and four-year degrees to trade certifications and military service — ensuring that every student can pursue a future that fits their goals.
“These numbers prove what our community already knows: the Promise is changing lives,” said Jason Jones, Executive Director of the Arkadelphia Promise. “Our students are not just going to college — they’re staying in college, earning degrees, and building better futures right here in Arkansas.”
A Community That Believes in Its Students
From classroom teachers and counselors to parents, local leaders, and donors, Arkadelphia’s success is shared by everyone who invests in its young people. The record-setting numbers are not just statistics; they are stories of hard work, opportunity, and the power of a community that keeps its promise.