Arkansas is the #32 largest school system in the United States, serving 490,105 students across the 1,099 public schools for the 2026-27 school year (there are 184 private schools, serving 29,934 students). 94% of all K-12 students in Arkansas attend public schools, compared to the national average of 90%.
The percentage of students achieving math proficiency in Arkansas is 39%. The percentage of students achieving reading proficiency is 40%.
The top-ranked public schools in Arkansas are Haas Hall Bentonville, Haas Hall Academy, and Root Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test scores.
Minority enrollment is 43%, with the majority being Black and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Top-Ranked Public Schools in Arkansas (2026-27)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Student Proficiency
Grades
Location
Rank: #11.
Haas Hall Bentonville
Charter School
(Math: 89% | Reading: 92%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 89% (Top 1%)
Reading: 92% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
2600 Se J Street
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 966-4930
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 966-4930
Rank: #22.
Haas Hall Academy
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 88%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 88% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
3880 North Front Street
Fayetteville, AR 72703
(479) 966-4930
Fayetteville, AR 72703
(479) 966-4930
Rank: #33.
Root Elementary School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 75-79%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Reading: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-4
1529 Mission Blvd
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 444-3075
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479) 444-3075
Rank: #44.
Haas Hall Academy Rogers
Charter School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 85-89% (Top 1%)
Grades: 7-12
121 West Poplar Street
Rogers, AR 72758
(479) 966-4930
Rogers, AR 72758
(479) 966-4930
Rank: #55.
Baker Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 80-84%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 75-79% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80-84% (Top 1%)
Grades: PK-5
15001 Kanis Road
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 228-3250
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 228-3250
Rank: #66.
Bright Field Middle School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 80%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 77% (Top 1%)
Reading: 80% (Top 1%)
Grades: 5-6
5101 Sw Bright Road
Bentonville, AR 72713
(479) 418-7200
Bentonville, AR 72713
(479) 418-7200
Rank: #77.
Greenbrier Wooster Elementary School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 78% (Top 1%)
Reading: 70-74% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
9 Church Circle
Greenbrier, AR 72058
(501) 679-3334
Greenbrier, AR 72058
(501) 679-3334
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Don Roberts Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 77% (Top 1%)
Reading: 72% (Top 1%)
Grades: K-5
16601 La Marche Drive
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 447-8300
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 447-8300
Rank: #8 - 98. - 9.
Founders Classical Academies Of Arkansas Bentonville
Charter School
(Math: 83% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 1%10
Math: 83% (Top 1%)
Reading: 69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-8
1302 Melissa Dr Ste 100
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 715-6676
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 715-6676
Rank: #1010.
Willowbrook Elementary School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 69%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
Math: 82% (Top 1%)
Reading: 69% (Top 5%)
Grades: K-4
1800 Sw Gator Boulevard
Bentonville, AR 72713
(479) 418-7300
Bentonville, AR 72713
(479) 418-7300
Overview
This State (AR)
US
# Schools
1,099 Schools
100,274 Schools
# Students
490,105 Students
49,273,234 Students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Gender %
# Teachers
39,166 Teachers
3,176,846 Teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
15:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Student By Grade
State Acdeamy
State Average (AR)
National Average
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
41%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
39%
47%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
43%
Graduation Rate
89.9%
87%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Free Lunch
54%
50%
Showing 2014–2025. Full 36-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
10%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 27-year historical data available below ↓
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.62
0.71
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# American Indian Students
2,789 Students
465,607 Students
% American Indian Students
1%
1%
Showing 2012–2025. Full 26-year historical data available below ↓
# Asian Students
9,188 Students
2,805,284 Students
% Asian Students
2%
6%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hispanic Students
74,769 Students
14,933,108 Students
% Hispanic Students
15%
30%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 35-year historical data available below ↓
# Black Students
94,165 Students
7,261,526 Students
% Black Students
19%
15%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# White Students
279,639 Students
20,989,144 Students
% White Students
57%
43%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
# Hawaiian Students
5,135 Students
196,826 Students
% Hawaiian Students
1%
n/a
Showing 2016–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
# Two or more races Students
24,265 Students
2,585,770 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
5%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 16-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
State Revenue and Spending
This State (AR)
Statewide Total Revenue
$7,224 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Statewide Total Spending
$7,337 MM
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Revenue / Student
$14,739
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Spending / Student
$14,969
Showing 2014–2023. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Best Arkansas Public Schools by County (2026-27)
Popular neighborhoods: Downtown (7 schools), Downtown Bentonville (5 schools), Hillcrest (4 schools), John Barrow (4 schools), Upper Baseline (4 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% Minority
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public schools in Arkansas?
The top-ranked public schools in Arkansas include Haas Hall Bentonville, Haas Hall Academy, and Root Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Arkansas?
1,099 public schools are located in Arkansas.
What percentage of students in Arkansas go to public school?
94% of all K-12 students in Arkansas attend public schools (compared to the national average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in Arkansas?
Minority enrollment in Arkansas is 43%, with the majority being Black.
Which public schools in Arkansas are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Arkansas include: England Elementary School vs. Lonoke Elementary School, Monticello Elementary School vs. Drew Central Elementary School, Drew Central High School vs. Monticello High School
Recent Articles
When a Public School Cancels a Course Your Child Needs
Learn what parents can do when public schools cancel essential courses, including protecting graduation credits, finding approved alternatives, requesting substitutions, and preventing disruptions to college or career plans before deadlines.
Verify School Assignment Before Buying a House
Before buying a house, learn how to verify your child's assigned public school, check conflicting property listings, confirm enrollment eligibility, and avoid costly school assignment surprises before closing on a property.
School Bus Commute Times: What Parents Should Know
Discover how long school bus commutes really take, why routes vary, and what parents should ask about pickup times, student fatigue, transportation reliability, and daily schedules before choosing schools.
