Beard Elementary School

1600 Cavanaugh Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
8/
10
Top 30%
Serving 297 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Beard Elementary School ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Arkansas for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 50%, and reading proficiency is top 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 40-44% (which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 39%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 55-59% (which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 40%).
The student-teacher ratio of 16:1 is higher than the Arkansas state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 54% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 43% (majority Black and Hispanic).

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 297 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 54%
  • : Top 30% in AR
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 10%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 20%)
  • : Beard Elementary School serves the southwest part of Fort Smith, AR, encompassing an area of approximately 1.8 square miles. Families living within this zone can typically reach the school in about 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge located around 1.3 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Beard Elementary School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency

School Overview

Beard Elementary School's student population of 297 students has declined by 12% over five school years.
The teacher population of 19 teachers has declined by 20% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
297 students

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

Total Classroom Teachers
19 teachers

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

School Calendar

School Rankings

Beard Elementary School ranks within the top 30% of all 989 schools in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Beard Elementary School is 0.71, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.62. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (AR)
#206 out of 989 schools
(Top 30%)

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

40-44%
39%

Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

55-59%
40%

Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓

45-49%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
16:1
14:1

Showing 2015–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓

American Indian
1%
1%

Showing 2010–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓

Asian
6%
2%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓

Hispanic
18%
15%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓

Black
11%
19%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓

White
46%
57%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

Two or more races
18%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups
54%
0.71

Showing 2015–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓

(22-23)
32.7%
22.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
62%
54%

Showing 2013–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
16%
10%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓

School Statewide Testing
School District Name

Sports

Colors
Beard Blue, Cub Cobalt, Bear Cub Navy, Den White
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Beard Elementary School's ranking?
Beard Elementary School is ranked #206 out of 989 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Arkansas.
What schools are Beard Elementary School often compared to?
Beard Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Elmer H. Cook Elementary School, Cavanaugh Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
40-44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% AR state average), while 55-59% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AR state average).
How many students attend Beard Elementary School?
297 students attend Beard Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
46% of Beard Elementary School students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 18% of students are Two or more races, 11% of students are Black, 6% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Beard Elementary School?
Beard Elementary School has a student ration of 16:1, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 14:1.
What grades does Beard Elementary School offer ?
Beard Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Beard Elementary School part of?
Beard Elementary School is part of Fort Smith School District.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Prekindergarten-5
  • Enrollment: 297 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 16:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 54%
  • : Top 30%
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 55-59% (Top 10%)
  • : 45-49% (Top 20%)
  • : Beard Elementary School serves the southwest part of Fort Smith, AR, encompassing an area of approximately 1.8 square miles. Families living within this zone can typically reach the school in about 5 to 10 minutes, with the furthest edge located around 1.3 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

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