Total enrollment
2,825
-22 (-1%) vs SY 2020-21
Howard County
Arkansas · Public K-12
Howard County's public-school footprint spans 9 K-12 schools with combined enrollment of about 2,825, the largest district being Nashville School District. The level mix is 3 elementary, 2 middle, and 3 high schools.
4-year change in Howard County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Howard County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Arkansas | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 31.6% | #40 of 66 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 2,825 | #43 of 68 | #1,908 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #33 of 68 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 9.2:1 | #7 of 65 | #42 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 94.3% | #12 of 68 | #216 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 61.7% | #6 of 66 | #482 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Howard County school rankings
Residents
12,583
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
9
4 districts
Enrollment
2,825
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$45,603
Below Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
94.3%
Above Arkansas avg
Elementary
3
1,061 students
Middle
2
773 students
High
3
894 students
Combined / other
1
97 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
NASHVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
1,786 students · 4 districts in Howard County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Howard County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
16.2%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
21.6%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.4%
civilian labor
Median age
39
25.7% under 18
Test scores in Howard County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 8 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 34.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- NASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL· 45.1%
- NASHVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL· 37.8%
- NASHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 35.1%
- NASHVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 33.7%
- JOANN WALTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 33.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASHVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL | Nashville | Elementary | KG-03 | 569 | · |
| NASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL | Nashville | High | 10-12 | 444 | · |
| NASHVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Nashville | Middle | 07-09 | 398 | · |
| NASHVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Nashville | Middle | 04-06 | 375 | · |
| JOANN WALTERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Dierks | Elementary | KG-06 | 288 | · |
| DIERKS HIGH SCHOOL | Dierks | High | 07-12 | 253 | · |
| MINERAL SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Mineral Springs | Elementary | KG-06 | 204 | · |
| MINERAL SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL | Mineral Springs | High | 07-12 | 197 | · |
| UMPIRE K-12 SCHOOL | Umpire | Combined | KG-12 | 97 | · |
Cities in Howard County
About Howard County
Across the low-population Arkansas county of Howard County of about 12,583 residents, the public-school footprint covers 9 schools and about 2,825 students.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $45,603, 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and roughly 22% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 13% below the Arkansas median.
Looking at the level breakdown, Howard County is made up of 3 elementary schools (1,061 students), 2 middle schools (773), 3 high schools (894), and 1 combined or other schools.
NASHVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 1,786 students across Howard County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Howard County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 2,847 students to 2,825.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Howard County discusses comparison threads between local schools and program reviews. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data