Southside High School is a comprehensive public high school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States. Southside provides secondary education for students in grades 9 through 12 and is one of two public ...
Serving 1,970 students in grades 9-12, Southside High School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Arkansas for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 36% (which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 38%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 49% (which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 40%).
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the Arkansas state level of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 42% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,970 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 10:1
- Minority Enrollment: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 90% (Btm 50% in AR)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 36% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 49% (Top 30%)
- Science Proficiency: 37% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Southside High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Southside High School's student population of 1,970 students has grown by 24% over five school years.
The teacher population of 192 teachers has grown by 79% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(Supplemental Virtual)
(Supplemental Virtual)
Total Students
1,970 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
192 teachers
Year Founded
1963
Colors
Red, Columbia blue
School Rankings
Southside High School ranks within the top 50% of all 997 schools in Arkansas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southside High School is 0.64, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#370 out of 997 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
36%
38%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
36%
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
13:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
7%
2%
Hispanic
21%
15%
Black
6%
19%
White
55%
58%
Hawaiian
n/a
1%
Two or more races
10%
5%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
90%
88%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
36%
56%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
11%
10%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), AR Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Mavericks
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southside High School's ranking?
Southside High School is ranked #370 out of 997 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Arkansas.
What schools are Southside High School often compared to?
Southside High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Northside High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
36% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 38% AR state average), while 49% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 40% AR state average).
What is the graduation rate of Southside High School?
The graduation rate of Southside High School is 90%, which is higher than the Arkansas state average of 88%.
How many students attend Southside High School?
1,970 students attend Southside High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
55% of Southside High School students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 10% of students are Two or more races, 7% of students are Asian, 6% of students are Black, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Southside High School?
Southside High School has a student ration of 10:1, which is lower than the Arkansas state average of 13:1.
What grades does Southside High School offer ?
Southside High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (Supplemental Virtual).
What school district is Southside High School part of?
Southside High School is part of Fort Smith School District.
School Reviews
Review Southside High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
