students playing in a foam thrower

Last spring, Yocum set an exciting challenge for our 3rd and 4th graders — to grow at least 10 points in every area on their ATLAS test scores. We promised that if they met this goal, we’d throw them the ultimate Block Party celebration.

Well, our students didn’t just meet expectations — they exceeded them! Their hard work and dedication paid off in a big way, helping Yocum earn a C on the Arkansas State Report Card — a huge accomplishment that reflects their incredible growth and determination.

To celebrate this success, we kept our promise and hosted an unforgettable Block Party! We even bussed our former 4th graders (now proud 5th graders at Washington Middle School) back to Yocum to join in the fun alongside our current 4th graders who stayed after school to celebrate.

The afternoon was filled with a foam thrower, bounce house, DJ, free food, a photo booth, games, and more! Each student was also able to invite three family members to share in the excitement.

It was an afternoon of laughter, music, and celebration — a true reminder of what can happen when students, families, and educators work together toward a common goal.

We’re so proud of our students and grateful for our supportive families and staff who made this event possible. Here’s to continued growth and many more celebrations to come at Yocum!