Best Arkansas public schools
Eight rankings of Arkansas's public schools from the latest NCES + state-assessment data. Unlike most school rankings, this list leads with BeatsExpectations: a demographics-adjusted score that asks how a school performs relative to what its student population would predict, not just in absolute terms.
Arkansas schools outperforming demographics
Top schools by BeatsExpectations score. Demographically-adjusted; a +20 here means the school posts 20 more proficiency points than its FRL profile predicts.| # | School | City | Beats by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | +29.8pp |
| 2 | HAAS HALL BENTONVILLE | BENTONVILLE | +29.7pp |
| 3 | JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | +29.3pp |
| 4 | JESSIEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JESSIEVILLE | +29.1pp |
| 5 | GREENBRIER SPRINGHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GREENBRIER | +28.8pp |
| 6 | CLINTON JR HIGH SCHOOL | CLINTON | +27.2pp |
| 7 | NORTH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL | TEXARKANA | +27.0pp |
| 8 | VILONIA PRIMARY SCHOOL | VILONIA | +26.2pp |
| 9 | COSSATOT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WICKES | +25.8pp |
| 10 | VILONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | VILONIA | +25.4pp |
| 11 | EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ROGERS | +25.1pp |
| 12 | LAKEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | +24.8pp |
| 13 | MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | MOUNTAIN VIEW | +24.7pp |
| 14 | CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CLINTON | +24.4pp |
| 15 | KINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | KINGSTON | +23.8pp |
Arkansas Title I schools beating the odds
High-poverty schools (60%+ FRL) ranking in the top quartile of their state's proficiency.| # | School | City | Proficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VALLEY SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | VALLEY SPRINGS | 55.3% |
| 2 | BERGMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HARRISON | 54.3% |
| 3 | TUCKERMAN HIGH SCHOOL | TUCKERMAN | 53.6% |
| 4 | FOREST HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HARRISON | 52.5% |
| 5 | EUREKA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | EUREKA SPRINGS | 52.2% |
| 6 | CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | 52.1% |
| 7 | WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CABOT | 52.1% |
| 8 | JESSIEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JESSIEVILLE | 51.7% |
| 9 | EUREKA SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL | EUREKA SPRINGS | 51.2% |
| 10 | VIOLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | VIOLA | 50.3% |
| 11 | NORFORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORFORK | 50.2% |
| 12 | CLINTON JR HIGH SCHOOL | CLINTON | 49.5% |
| 13 | NORTH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL | TEXARKANA | 49.3% |
| 14 | CENTERPOINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | AMITY | 49.0% |
| 15 | COSSATOT RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WICKES | 48.7% |
Arkansas schools by raw proficiency
The traditional ranking: highest combined math + reading proficiency on the state assessment.| # | School | City | Proficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HAAS HALL BENTONVILLE | BENTONVILLE | 87.8% |
| 2 | JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | 74.9% |
| 3 | EVENING STAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 74.8% |
| 4 | BRIGHT FIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 73.8% |
| 5 | GREENBRIER SPRINGHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | GREENBRIER | 72.5% |
| 6 | HAAS HALL ACADEMY | FAYETTEVILLE | 72.1% |
| 7 | APPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 70.4% |
| 8 | LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 70.0% |
| 9 | FOREST PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | 69.8% |
| 10 | HAAS HALL ACADEMY ROGERS | ROGERS | 69.0% |
| 11 | ROOT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE | 68.8% |
| 12 | J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 68.6% |
| 13 | WILLOWBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 67.4% |
| 14 | HAAS HALL ACADEMY FORT SMITH | FORT SMITH | 67.3% |
| 15 | FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS ROGERS | ROGERS | 67.3% |
Arkansas schools with the lowest student-teacher ratios
Schools with 200+ students reporting the fewest students per teacher. Excludes virtual.| # | School | City | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE EXCEL CENTER | LITTLE ROCK | 0.1:1 |
| 2 | WEST FORK HIGH SCHOOL | WEST FORK | 3.0:1 |
| 3 | MAYNARD HIGH SCHOOL | MAYNARD | 3.5:1 |
| 4 | LAVACA HIGH SCHOOL | LAVACA | 3.5:1 |
| 5 | OZARK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL | WESTERN GROVE | 3.5:1 |
| 6 | BERGMAN HIGH SCHOOL | HARRISON | 3.8:1 |
| 7 | DANVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | DANVILLE | 3.8:1 |
| 8 | YELLVILLE-SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL | YELLVILLE | 3.9:1 |
| 9 | JASPER HIGH SCHOOL | JASPER | 4.0:1 |
| 10 | ATKINS HIGH SCHOOL | ATKINS | 4.2:1 |
| 11 | FLIPPIN HIGH SCHOOL | FLIPPIN | 4.2:1 |
| 12 | DOVER HIGH SCHOOL | DOVER | 4.3:1 |
| 13 | ROSE BUD HIGH SCHOOL | ROSE BUD | 4.4:1 |
| 14 | MARMADUKE HIGH SCHOOL | MARMADUKE | 4.4:1 |
| 15 | RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL | SEARCY | 4.5:1 |
Fastest-growing Arkansas public schools, 2017-2024
Schools open in both years with 200+ enrollment in 2017, ranked by % change.| # | School | City | Enrollment Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARKANSAS CONNECTIONS ACADEMY HIGH | BENTONVILLE | +501% |
| 2 | ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | +248% |
| 3 | PEAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ARKADELPHIA | +163% |
| 4 | DON TYSON SCHOOL OF INNOVATION | SPRINGDALE | +155% |
| 5 | ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | +118% |
| 6 | EXALT ACADEMY OF SOUTHWEST LITTLE ROCK | LITTLE ROCK | +101% |
| 7 | BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LEACHVILLE | +101% |
| 8 | ARKANSAS VIRTUAL ACADEMY ELEMENTARY | LITTLE ROCK | +94% |
| 9 | ARKANSAS ARTS ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | ROGERS | +84% |
| 10 | JOE T. ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | +80% |
| 11 | OZARK JR SR HIGH SCHOOL | OZARK | +63% |
| 12 | FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMIES OF ARKANSAS BENTONVILLE | ROGERS | +62% |
| 13 | HOT SPRINGS JUNIOR ACADEMY | HOT SPRINGS | +60% |
| 14 | PINNACLE VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | +57% |
| 15 | LISA ACADEMY NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SHERWOOD | +56% |
Most racially diverse Arkansas public schools
Schools ranked by how balanced their student body is. The largest single racial group's share of enrollment, lowest first.| # | School | City | Max group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ASBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE | 32.3% White (103) |
| 2 | LISA ACADEMY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | 32.5% Hispanic (95) |
| 3 | LISA ACADEMY WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | 33.5% Hispanic (144) |
| 4 | WARREN MIDDLE SCHOOL | WARREN | 33.5% White (111) |
| 5 | BOB COURTWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL | CONWAY | 33.5% White (167) |
| 6 | THOMAS C BRUNSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WARREN | 34.1% Black (74) |
| 7 | HOT SPRINGS JUNIOR ACADEMY | HOT SPRINGS | 34.6% Black (278) |
| 8 | WARREN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | WARREN | 35.0% Black (144) |
| 9 | AGEE LIERLY LIFE PREPARATION SERVICES SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE | 35.6% White (89) |
| 10 | LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ROGERS | 35.6% White (140) |
| 11 | DAISY BATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | 35.7% Black (146) |
| 12 | HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS | 35.7% Black (271) |
| 13 | WARREN HIGH SCHOOL | WARREN | 35.8% Black (172) |
| 14 | PRESTON & FLORENCE MATTISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | CONWAY | 36.2% White (151) |
| 15 | OAKLAWN STEM MAGNET SCHOOL | HOT SPRINGS | 36.3% White (164) |
Largest Arkansas public schools
Brick-and-mortar schools ranked by total enrollment. Virtual schools excluded.| # | School | City | Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BENTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 3,579 |
| 2 | BENTONVILLE WEST HIGH SCHOOL | BENTONVILLE | 2,661 |
| 3 | FAYETTEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE | 2,588 |
| 4 | ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL | ROGERS | 2,492 |
| 5 | CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | 2,371 |
| 6 | BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL | BRYANT | 2,369 |
| 7 | CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL | CONWAY | 2,350 |
| 8 | HAR-BER HIGH SCHOOL | SPRINGDALE | 2,271 |
| 9 | NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL | FORT SMITH | 2,231 |
| 10 | SPRINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL | SPRINGDALE | 2,207 |
| 11 | CABOT HIGH SCHOOL | CABOT | 2,170 |
| 12 | SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL | FORT SMITH | 2,053 |
| 13 | LITTLE ROCK SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL | MABELVALE | 2,045 |
| 14 | ROGERS HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL | ROGERS | 2,008 |
| 15 | DON TYSON SCHOOL OF INNOVATION | SPRINGDALE | 1,976 |
Arkansas schools underperforming demographics
Bottom 10% within state by BeatsExpectations. Not a verdict, a starting question. A school may be in leadership transition or recovering from a demographic shift.| # | School | City | Beats by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RESPONSIVE ED SOLUTIONS PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF SPRINGDALE | SPRINGDALE | -38.2pp |
| 2 | PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE | LITTLE ROCK | -34.9pp |
| 3 | PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH | LITTLE ROCK | -32.7pp |
| 4 | PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF TEXARKANA | LITTLE ROCK | -32.2pp |
| 5 | AGEE LIERLY LIFE PREPARATION SERVICES SCHOOL | FAYETTEVILLE | -29.8pp |
| 6 | JACKSONVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE | -28.1pp |
| 7 | JACKSONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | JACKSONVILLE | -28.1pp |
| 8 | HARRIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | -27.4pp |
| 9 | WATSON CHAPEL HIGH SCHOOL | PINE BLUFF | -27.1pp |
| 10 | MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | -26.3pp |
| 11 | JOE T. ROBINSON HIGH SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK | -26.1pp |
| 12 | BROOKLAND HIGH SCHOOL | BROOKLAND | -25.9pp |
| 13 | CSTP CIVILIAN STUDENT TRAINING PROGRAM | NORTH LITTLE ROCK | -25.8pp |
| 14 | PEA RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | PEA RIDGE | -25.5pp |
| 15 | DRIVEN VIRTUAL ACADEMY | LITTLE ROCK | -25.3pp |
About these rankings
These tables use the most recent NCES Common Core of Data (2024-25) for enrollment, demographics, and staffing, and state-native assessment data (typically 2023-24 or 2024-25) for proficiency. BeatsExpectations is computed via per-state ordinary-least-squares regression of composite proficiency on free-and-reduced-lunch share. Full methodology.
License: CC-BY 4.0. Reproduce these rankings anywhere with attribution to allk12.com. Press contact: [email protected].