Southside School District (Independence)

70 Scott Dr
Batesville, AR 72501
(District boundaries shown in map)
6/
10
Top 50%

Top Rankings

Southside School District (Independence) ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:

Category
Attribute
Math Proficiency
Highest math proficiency (Top 20%)
For the 2026 school year, there is 1 public middle school serving 437 students in Southside School District (Independence). This district's average middle testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Arkansas.
Public Middle School in Southside School District (Independence) have an average math proficiency score of 34% (versus the Arkansas public middle school average of 37%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 42% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Arkansas public middle school average of 41% (majority Black).

Overview

This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
4 Schools
353 Schools
# Students
2,204 Students
147,541 Students
# Teachers
173 Teachers
13,335 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
13:1

Student By Grade

District Rank

Southside School District (Independence), which is ranked within the top 50% of all 257 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 90-94% has decreased from 95% over five school years.
This School District
State Average (AR)
#105 out of 258 school districts
(Top 50%)
46%
39%
35%
40%
39%
36%
(21-22)
90-94%
88%

Students by Ethnicity:

0.16
0.60
% American Indian
n/a
1%
% Asian
n/a
2%
% Hispanic
6%
14%
% Black
2%
19%
% White
91%
59%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $11,243 in this school district is less than the state median of $13,136. The school district revenue/student has grown by 17% over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $9,790 is less than the state median of $13,047. The school district spending/student has grown by 9% over four school years.
This School District
This State (AR)
Total Revenue
$25 MM
$6,371 MM
Spending
$22 MM
$6,327 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,243
$13,136
Spending / Student
$9,790
$13,047

Best Southside School District (Independence) Public Middle Schools (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southside Junior High School
Charter School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
70 Scott Drive
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 251-4003
Gr: 7-9 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 10%

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Quick Facts (2026)

  • District size: 4 schools
  • Grades: PK-12
  • Enrollment: 2,204 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 9%
  • : 90-94% (Btm 50% in AR)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 46% (Top 20%)
  • : 35% (Btm 50%)
  • : 39% (Top 50%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

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