For the 2026 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 6,784 students in Independence County, AR (there are 2 private schools, serving 70 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Independence County, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
The top-ranked public schools in Independence County, AR are Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School, Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School and Southside Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Independence County, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 38% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 37% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Independence County have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public school average of 43% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Independence County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
480 N Main St
Sulphur Rock, AR 72579
(870) 799-3149
Sulphur Rock, AR 72579
(870) 799-3149
Gr: PK-5 | 333 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 15%
Rank: #22.
Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
600 Eagle Mountain Blvd.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 698-9141
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 698-9141
Gr: PK-5 | 905 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #33.
Southside Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2460 Batesville Blvd
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2661
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2661
Gr: PK-3 | 852 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 8%
Rank: #44.
Midland Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3900 Floral Rd
Floral, AR 72534
(501) 345-2413
Floral, AR 72534
(501) 345-2413
Gr: PK-6 | 291 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #55.
Cedar Ridge Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
3549 Cord Road
Newark, AR 72562
(870) 201-2577
Newark, AR 72562
(870) 201-2577
Gr: K-5 | 263 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 7%
Rank: #66.
Southside Middle School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
55 Quail Lane
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2332
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2332
Gr: 4-6 | 450 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #77.
Southside Charter High School
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1920 Batesville Blvd
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2662
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-2662
Gr: 10-12 | 464 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 13%
Rank: #88.
Cedar Ridge High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
1500 N. Hill Street
Newark, AR 72562
(870) 201-2577
Newark, AR 72562
(870) 201-2577
Gr: 6-12 | 373 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #99.
Batesville Junior High School Charter
Charter School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2 Pioneer Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-7533
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-7533
Gr: 6-8 | 690 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
Rank: #1010.
Southside Junior High School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
70 Scott Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-4003
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-4003
Gr: 7-9 | 427 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 9%
Rank: #1111.
West Magnet Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
850 Hill Street
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9878
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9878
Gr: K-5 | 599 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #1212.
Batesville High School Charter
Charter School
(Math: 20% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1 Pioneer Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-6846
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-6846
Gr: 9-12 | 986 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #1313.
Midland High School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
741 Main St
Pleasant Plains, AR 72568
(501) 345-2610
Pleasant Plains, AR 72568
(501) 345-2610
Gr: 7-12 | 222 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 5%
Rank: n/an/a
Uaccb Technical Center
Vocational School
2005 White Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 612-2000
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 612-2000
Gr: 9-12
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Independence County, AR?
The top-ranked public schools in Independence County, AR include Sulphur Rock Magnet Elementary School, Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School and Southside Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Independence County?
14 public schools are located in Independence County.
What percentage of students in Independence County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Independence County are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Independence County?
Independence County public schools minority enrollment is 25% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public schools average of 43% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Independence County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Independence County include: West Magnet Elementary School vs. Eagle Mountain Magnet Elementary School, Southside Charter High School vs. Batesville High School Charter, Batesville High School Charter vs. Southside Charter High School
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