Total enrollment
6,855
+172 (+3%) vs SY 2017-18
Independence County
Arkansas · Public K-12
Public K-12 schools in Independence County number 14 per the most recent NCES data, averaging about 490 students per campus. By grade band, the county runs 6 elementary, 3 middle, and 5 high schools.
7-year change in Independence County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
13
-2 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
74%
was 80%
% Hispanic
19%
was 13%
% Black
3%
was 3%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Residents
38,175
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
14
5 districts
Enrollment
6,855
students · NCES CCD
Median income
$56,609
Above Arkansas avg
Free/reduced lunch
65.8%
Below Arkansas avg
Elementary
6
3,243 students
Middle
3
1,567 students
High
5
2,045 students
Combined / other
0
schools
LARGEST DISTRICT
BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
3,513 students · 5 districts in Independence County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Independence 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+
18.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
14.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
3.9%
civilian labor
Median age
39
24.3% under 18
Test scores in Independence County
Latest 2023-24 ELA proficiency, 13 schools ranked. Arkansas state average: 33.9%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL· 24.3%
- BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER· 25.7%
- MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 28.1%
- MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL· 28.2%
- BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER· 28.3%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER | Batesville | High | 09-12 | 986 | · |
| EAGLE MOUNTAIN MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Batesville | Elementary | PK-05 | 905 | · |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Southside | Elementary | PK-03 | 852 | · |
| BATESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL CHARTER | Batesville | Middle | 06-08 | 690 | · |
| WEST MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Batesville | Elementary | KG-05 | 599 | · |
| SOUTHSIDE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL | Southside | High | 10-12 | 464 | · |
| SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL | Southside | Middle | 04-06 | 450 | · |
| SOUTHSIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Southside | Middle | 07-09 | 427 | · |
| CEDAR RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL | Newark | High | 06-12 | 373 | · |
| SULPHUR ROCK MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Batesville | Elementary | PK-05 | 333 | · |
| MIDLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Floral | Elementary | PK-06 | 291 | · |
| CEDAR RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Newark | Elementary | KG-05 | 263 | · |
| MIDLAND HIGH SCHOOL | Pleasant Plains | High | 07-12 | 222 | · |
| UACCB TECHNICAL CENTER | Batesville | High | 09-12 | 0 | · |
Cities in Independence County
About Independence County
Across the rural-scale Arkansas county of Independence County of about 38,175 residents, the public-school footprint covers 14 schools and about 6,855 students.
Looking at the wider area, census numbers show median household income runs near $56,609, roughly 18% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and the federal-poverty share is near 14%. That income level is 8% meaningfully above the Arkansas median.
For a sense of the school types, Independence County is made up of 6 elementary schools (3,243 students), 3 middle schools (1,567), and 5 high schools (2,045).
BATESVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 3,513 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Independence County has expanded 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 6,683 students to 6,855. Over that span, Independence County closed 2 schools, going from 15 to 13. Demographically, the White share of enrollment shrank from 80% to 74%.
On this page, the community for Independence County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Independence County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data