BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER

BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER is one of the minimally staffed secondary schools in FORT SMITH, Arkansas, run under FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT, with 39 students on its rolls from grades 6 through 12. Compared to the state average of about 510 students per school, that is 92% below typical.

Across the 27 schools in FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT (14,164 students total), BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER accounts for its share of the district's footprint.

On demographics, BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER shows that the largest single group is White at 44%, but no single group is in the majority. Other groups include 26% Hispanic, 23% Black, 8% multiracial. By comparison, Sebastian County as a whole is about 68% White, so the school skews considerably less White than its surroundings.

Looking at the economic backdrop, Staff filings list 9 full-time-equivalent teachers, which works out to roughly 4.2:1 students per teacher. Statewide, the average ratio sits near 8.8:1, putting BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER tighter than the state norm the norm. Around 92% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, which schools and policymakers use as a rough income-mix signal. That share is north of Sebastian County's rate of about 65%.

In the area at large, the surrounding county (Sebastian County) logs that median household income runs about $57,790, about 23% of the adult population holds a bachelor's degree or above, and census figures put the poverty rate at about 11%. In all, Sebastian County runs 44 public schools (combined enrollment of about 20,239 students), of which BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER is one.

The closest other public school is NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL, roughly 0.7 miles away. 8 of the 8 nearest public schools sit inside a five-mile radius.

The campus sits in a city-core setting.

Looking at the recent track record. BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER's enrollment has declined 36% since 2018, when it stood at 61 (now 39). The White share of enrollment expanded from 38% to 44% over that span.

Inside the community feed, the page collects discussion, questions, and updates around school events, parent volunteer needs, and clubs. The community welcomes input from current and former families.