For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public schools serving 2,876 students in Howard County, AR (there are , serving 30 private students). 99% of all K-12 students in Howard County, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Howard County, AR are Nashville Primary School, Nashville Elementary School and Nashville Junior High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Howard County, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 32% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 38% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Howard County have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Howard County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Nashville Primary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
1201 N Eighth St
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3510
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3510
Grades: K-3
| 577 students
Rank: #22.
Nashville Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
200 Immanuel St
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3262
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3262
Grades: 4-6
| 404 students
Rank: #33.
Nashville Junior High School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
1000 N Eighth St
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3418
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3418
Grades: 7-9
| 410 students
Rank: #44.
Umpire K-12 School
(Math: 30-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
142 School St
Umpire, AR 71971
(870) 583-2141
Umpire, AR 71971
(870) 583-2141
Grades: K-12
| 92 students
Rank: #55.
Joann Walters Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
800 Old Hwy 70 W
Dierks, AR 71833
(870) 286-2015
Dierks, AR 71833
(870) 286-2015
Grades: K-6
| 279 students
Rank: #66.
Dierks High School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
900 Old Hwy 70 W
Dierks, AR 71833
(870) 286-3234
Dierks, AR 71833
(870) 286-3234
Grades: 7-12
| 239 students
Rank: #77.
Nashville High School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
1301 Mt Pleasant Dr
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3261
Nashville, AR 71852
(870) 845-3261
Grades: 10-12
| 480 students
Rank: #88.
Mineral Springs Elem. School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
130 West Mccrary Street
Mineral Springs, AR 71851
(870) 287-4746
Mineral Springs, AR 71851
(870) 287-4746
Grades: K-6
| 200 students
Rank: #99.
Mineral Springs High School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
130 West Mccrary Street
Mineral Springs, AR 71851
(870) 287-4747
Mineral Springs, AR 71851
(870) 287-4747
Grades: 7-12
| 195 students
Howard County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
Po Box 90
Saratoga, AR 71859
(870) 388-9262
Saratoga, AR 71859
(870) 388-9262
Grades: PK-6
| 106 students
2031 Main St
Saratoga, AR 71859
(870) 388-9262
Saratoga, AR 71859
(870) 388-9262
Grades: 7-12
| 55 students
142 School Dr
Umpire, AR 71771
(870) 583-2141
Umpire, AR 71771
(870) 583-2141
Grades: K-6
| 66 students
142 School Dr
Umpire, AR 71971
(870) 583-2141
Umpire, AR 71971
(870) 583-2141
Grades: 7-12
| 71 students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Howard County, AR?
The top ranked public schools in Howard County, AR include Nashville Primary School, Nashville Elementary School and Nashville Junior High School.
How many public schools are located in Howard County?
9 public schools are located in Howard County.
What percentage of students in Howard County go to public school?
99% of all K-12 students in Howard County are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Howard County?
Howard County public schools minority enrollment is 46% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the Arkansas public schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Howard County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Howard County include: Mineral Springs High School vs. Dierks High School, Dierks High School vs. Mineral Springs High School, Mineral Springs High School vs. Nashville High School
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.