For the 2026 school year, there are 29 public schools serving 14,174 students in Fort Smith, AR (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,800 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Fort Smith, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR are John P. Woods Elementary School, L. A. Chaffin Middle School and Euper Lane Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Fort Smith, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 36% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Fort Smith have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Fort Smith, AR (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
John P. Woods Elementary School
(Math: 72% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3201 Massard Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-5808
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-5808
Gr: PK-5 | 514 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #22.
L. A. Chaffin Middle School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3025 Massard Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2226
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2226
Gr: 6-8 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #33.
Euper Lane Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
6601 Euper Ln
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2601
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2601
Gr: PK-5 | 397 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #44.
Elmer H. Cook Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3517 Brooken Hill Dr
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-8880
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-8880
Gr: PK-5 | 459 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #55.
Cavanaugh Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1025 School St
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-1131
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-1131
Gr: PK-5 | 303 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #66.
Ramsey Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3201 Jenny Lind Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-5115
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-5115
Gr: 6-8 | 801 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #77.
Bonneville Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2500 South Waldron Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 478-3161
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 478-3161
Gr: PK-5 | 287 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #88.
Ballman Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2601 S Q St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1280
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1280
Gr: PK-5 | 286 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #99.
Beard Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1600 Cavanaugh Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-0834
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-0834
Gr: PK-5 | 297 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1010.
Southside High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4100 Gary St
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-7371
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-7371
Gr: 9-12 | 2,053 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2400 S Dallas St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-3214
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-3214
Gr: PK-5 | 582 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1212.
Raymond F. Orr Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3609 Phoenix Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-3711
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-3711
Gr: K-5 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1313.
Spradling Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4949 Spradling Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-8048
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-8048
Gr: PK-5 | 307 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: #1414.
Harry C. Morrison Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3415 Newlon Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 782-7045
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 782-7045
Gr: PK-5 | 493 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #1515.
Carnall Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2524 South Tulsa St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 646-3612
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 646-3612
Gr: PK-5 | 172 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #1616.
William O. Darby Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
616 N 14th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-4159
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-4159
Gr: 6-8 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1717.
Dora Kimmons Middle School
(Math: 26% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2201 N 50th St
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-2451
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-2451
Gr: 6-8 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 88%
Rank: #1818.
Sunnymede Elementary School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4201 N O St
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-6327
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-6327
Gr: PK-5 | 510 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 86%
Rank: #1919.
Howard Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 N 8th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7382
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7382
Gr: PK-5 | 299 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 83%
Rank: #2020.
Tilles Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
815 N 16th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 785-5606
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 785-5606
Gr: PK-5 | 343 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 73%
Rank: #2121.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
4111 Park Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 783-4506
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 783-4506
Gr: PK-5 | 387 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 80%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Future School Of Fort Smith
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
622 N 7th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 431-8695
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 431-8695
Gr: 9-12 | 235 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22 - 2322. - 23.
Northside High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2301 N B St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1171
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1171
Gr: 9-12 | 2,231 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #2424.
Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
5001 Kelley Hwy
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-1778
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-1778
Gr: PK-5 | 411 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
Rank: n/an/a
Fort Smith Virtual Academy
Charter School
3205 Jenny Lind Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(844) 989-3399
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(844) 989-3399
Gr: 6-12 | 106 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: n/an/a
Haas Hall Academy Fort Smith
Charter School
1000 Fianna Way Ste 430
Fort Smith, AR 72919
(479) 977-4930
Fort Smith, AR 72919
(479) 977-4930
Gr: 7-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Institute For The Creative Arts School
Charter School
1101 Riverfront Drive
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 434-2114
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 434-2114
Gr: 9-12 | 49 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Rank: n/an/a
Premier High School Of Fort Smith
Charter School
3400 Rogers Ave Ste 126
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 366-9410
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 366-9410
Gr: 9-12 | 99 students Student-teacher ratio: 3:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: n/an/a
Western Arkansas Technical Center
Vocational School
5210 Grand Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7720
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7720
Gr: 9-12
Fort Smith, Arkansas Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
Belle Point Alternative Center (Closed)
Alternative School
1501 Dodson Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7034
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7034
Gr: 6-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 4:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR?
The top-ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR include John P. Woods Elementary School, L. A. Chaffin Middle School and Euper Lane Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Fort Smith?
29 public schools are located in Fort Smith.
What percentage of students in Fort Smith go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Fort Smith are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Fort Smith are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Fort Smith include: Northside High School vs. Southside High School, Southside High School vs. Northside High School, Future School Of Fort Smith vs. Northside High School
Recent Articles
Gifted, Honors, and Advanced Tracks: Are They Accessible or Just Advertised?
Learn how to evaluate gifted, honors, and advanced academic programs in public schools, including admission criteria, equity, and the questions every parent should ask.
Algebra Readiness: What Parents Should Ask Before Middle School
Discover how to determine if your child is ready for algebra before middle school, including the questions parents should ask and the skills students need to succeed.
How to Evaluate Reading Instruction in Your Zoned Elementary School
Learn how to evaluate reading instruction in your neighborhood elementary school by recognizing effective literacy practices, asking the right questions, and understanding what quality reading instruction looks like.
