For the 2025 school year, there are 11 public schools serving 4,970 students in Baxter County, AR (there are 3 private schools, serving 146 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Baxter County, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR are Pinkston Middle School, Hackler Intermediate School and Amanda Gist Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Baxter County, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 44% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 46% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Baxter County have an average ranking of 9/10, which is in the top 20% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Baxter County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Pinkston Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1301 S College St
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1236
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1236
Grades: 6-7
| 564 students
Rank: #22.
Hackler Intermediate School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
965 West Rd
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1288
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1288
Grades: 3-5
| 869 students
Rank: #33.
Amanda Gist Elementary School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
152 Lucille St
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6655
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6655
Grades: K-6
| 353 students
Rank: #44.
Norfork Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
161 Mildred Simpson Dr
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-7192
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-7192
Grades: K-6
| 251 students
Rank: #55.
Mountain Home Career Academies
Charter School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
500 Bomber Blvd
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1215
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1215
Grades: 8-12
| 1,517 students
Rank: #66.
Cotter High School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
198 Melba Ave
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6171
Cotter, AR 72626
(870) 435-6171
Grades: 7-12
| 324 students
Rank: #77.
Norfork High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
136 Mildred Simpson Dr
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-7191
Norfork, AR 72658
(870) 499-7191
Grades: 7-12
| 203 students
Rank: n/an/a
Arkansas State University-mountain Home Career Center
Vocational School
1600 South College St
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 508-6100
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 508-6100
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Guy Berry College And Career Academy
Charter School
1001 South Main Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Grades: 6-12
| 74 students
Rank: n/an/a
1310 Post Oak Rd
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1256
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1256
Grades: K
| 284 students
Rank: n/an/a
618 N College St
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1251
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1251
Grades: 1-2
| 531 students
Baxter County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
1001 Main St
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1261
Grades: 4
| n/a students
2301 Rodeo Dr
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1231
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 425-1231
Grades: 8
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR?
The top ranked public schools in Baxter County, AR include Pinkston Middle School, Hackler Intermediate School and Amanda Gist Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Baxter County?
11 public schools are located in Baxter County.
What percentage of students in Baxter County go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Baxter County are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Baxter County?
Baxter County public schools minority enrollment is 9% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Baxter County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Baxter County include: Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary School vs. Amanda Gist Elementary School, Mountain Home Career Academies vs. Norfork High School, Norfork High School vs. Mountain Home Career Academies
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
