Top Rankings
Fort Smith School District ranks among the top 20% of public school district in Arkansas for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Most diverse schools (Top 1%)
Community Size
Largest student body (number of students) (Top 1%)
For the 2025-26 school year, there are 4 public high schools serving 4,429 students in Fort Smith School District. This district's average high testing ranking is 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public high schools in Arkansas.
Public High Schools in Fort Smith School District have an average math proficiency score of 24% (versus the Arkansas public high school average of 27%), and reading proficiency score of 36% (versus the 40% statewide average).
Public High School in Fort Smith School District have a Graduation Rate of 89%, which is equal to the Arkansas average of 89%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Northside High School, with 91% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Arkansas or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public high school average of 41% (majority Black).
Overview
This School District
This State (AR)
# Schools
26 Schools
376 Schools
# Students
13,941 Students
177,587 Students
# Teachers
973 Teachers
18,607 Teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
14:1
14:1
Student By Grade
District Rank
Fort Smith School District, 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 89% has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#118 out of 258 school districts
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
37%
39%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
40%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
36%
Graduation Rate
89%
88%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.72
0.59
% American Indian
1%
1%
% Asian
5%
2%
% Hispanic
36%
15%
% Black
10%
18%
% White
37%
59%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
11%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $14,167 is higher than the state median of $13,136. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $18,034 is higher than the state median of $13,047. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$198 MM
$6,371 MM
Spending
$251 MM
$6,327 MM
Revenue / Student
$14,167
$13,136
Spending / Student
$18,034
$13,047
Best Fort Smith School District Public High Schools (2025-26)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Southside High School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4100 Gary St
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-7371
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-7371
Gr: 9-12 | 1,970 student Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 45%
Rank: #22.
Northside High School
(Math: 16% | Reading: 27%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2301 North B St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1171
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1171
Gr: 9-12 | 2,253 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #33.
Belle Point Alternative Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: ≤5%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1501 Dodson Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7034
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7034
Gr: 6-12 | 73 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: n/an/a
Fort Smith Virtual Academy
Charter School
5900 Painter Lane
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(844) 989-3399
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(844) 989-3399
Gr: K-12 | 133 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
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