Top Rankings
Fort Smith School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2026-27 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 13,527 students in Fort Smith School District. This district's average testing ranking is 6/10, which is in the top 50% of public schools in Arkansas.
Public Schools in Fort Smith School District have an average math proficiency score of 37% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 40% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
23 Schools
1,099 Schools
# Students
13,527 Students
490,105 Students
# Teachers
963 Teachers
39,166 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Fort Smith School District, which is ranked within the top 50% of all 256 school districts in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#118 out of 258 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
39%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
40%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
36%
Graduation Rate
89%
89.9%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(2022-23)28.1%
22.7%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.62
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% American Indian
1%
1%
Showing 2011–2023. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
% Asian
5%
2%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
37%
15%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
10%
19%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% White
36%
57%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
11%
5%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $15,184 is higher than the state median of $14,739. The school district revenue/student has grown by 8% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $14,654 is less than the state median of $14,969. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
Total Revenue
$205 MM
$7,224 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending
$198 MM
$7,337 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$15,184
$14,739
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,654
$14,969
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Fort Smith School District Public Schools (2026-27)
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.
Barling Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1400 D St
Barling, AR 72923
(479) 452-0211
Barling, AR 72923
(479) 452-0211
Gr: PK-5 | 316 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1111.
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: #1212.
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: #1313.
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: #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.
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: #1616.
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: #1717.
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: #1818.
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: #1919.
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: #2020.
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: #2121.
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: #2222.
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%
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools belong to Fort Smith School District?
Fort Smith School District manages 23 public schools serving 13,527 students.
What is the rank of Fort Smith School District?
Fort Smith School District is ranked #109 out of 256 school districts in Arkansas (top 50%) based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data for the 2022-2023 school year. This district ranks in the top 20% of Arkansas school districts for: Most diverse schools (Top 1%) and Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
What is the racial composition of students in Fort Smith School District?
37% of Fort Smith School District students are Hispanic, 36% of students are White, 11% of students are Two or more races, 10% of students are Black, 5% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student/teacher ratio of Fort Smith School District?
Fort Smith School District has a student/teacher ratio of 14:1, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 12:1.
What is Fort Smith School District's spending/student ratio?
The school district's spending/student of $14,654 is less than the state median of $14,969. The school district spending/student has declined by 6% over four school years.
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