Ellen Smith Elementary School

1601 S. Donaghey St
Conway, AR 72034
(School attendance zone shown in map)
: 
9/
10
Top 20%
Ellen Smith Elementary School in Conway, AR, serves 454 students in grades K–4 with a student–teacher ratio of 17:1, which is higher than the district average ratios of 16:1 to 18:1 at comparable local elementary schools.
Math proficiency is 60–64%, significantly higher than the Arkansas state average of 39% and the Conway School District average of 47%, maintaining a position in the top 20% statewide.
Reading proficiency is 40–44%, which is approximately equal to the state average of 40% but lower than the district average of 49%, with scores showing a decline from 55–59% in 2018 to 40–44% in 2022.
Science proficiency stands at 35–39%, approximately equal to the state average of 36% but below the district average of 42%, showing improvement from 25–29% in 2021.
Enrollment declined slightly from 545 students in 2012 to 454 students currently, while the percentage of students eligible for free lunch increased from around 18% in 2012 to over 53% in 2023, indicating a significant rise in socioeconomic need.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-4
  • Enrollment: 461 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 61%
  • : Top 20% in AR
  • : 60-64% (Top 20%)
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Top 50%)
  • : Ellen Smith Elementary School serves a central area in Conway, AR, encompassing approximately 4.6 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive of 5-10 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 2.9 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Ellen Smith Elementary School's student population of 461 students has grown by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 27 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Kindergarten-4
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
461 students

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

Total Classroom Teachers
27 teachers

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

School Rankings

Ellen Smith Elementary School ranks within the top 20% of all 989 schools in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Ellen Smith 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)
#196 out of 989 schools
(Top 20%)

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

60-64%
39%

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

40-44%
40%

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

35-39%
36%
Student-Teacher Ratio
17:1
14:1

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

Asian
1%
2%

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

Hispanic
21%
15%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 29-year historical data available below ↓

Black
31%
19%

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

White
39%
57%

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

Two or more races
8%
5%

Showing 2015–2025. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓

All Ethnic Groups
61%
0.71

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

(22-23)
23.2%
22.7%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
52%
54%

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

Eligible for Reduced Lunch
12%
10%

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

School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ellen Smith Elementary School's ranking?
Ellen Smith Elementary School is ranked #196 out of 989 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas.
What schools are Ellen Smith Elementary School often compared to?
Ellen Smith Elementary Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Carolyn Lewis Elementary School, Ida Burns Elementary School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 39% AR state average), while 40-44% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AR state average).
How many students attend Ellen Smith Elementary School?
461 students attend Ellen Smith Elementary School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
39% of Ellen Smith Elementary School students are White, 31% of students are Black, 21% of students are Hispanic, 8% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Ellen Smith Elementary School?
Ellen Smith Elementary School has a student ration of 17:1, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 14:1.
What grades does Ellen Smith Elementary School offer ?
Ellen Smith Elementary School offers enrollment in grades Kindergarten-4 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ellen Smith Elementary School part of?
Ellen Smith Elementary School is part of Conway School District.

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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: Kindergarten-4
  • Enrollment: 461 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 17:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 61%
  • : Top 20%
  • : 60-64% (Top 20%)
  • : 40-44% (Top 50%)
  • : 35-39% (Top 50%)
  • : Ellen Smith Elementary School serves a central area in Conway, AR, encompassing approximately 4.6 square miles. Most families can expect a typical drive of 5-10 minutes to the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone located about 2.9 miles away.
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education

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