For the 2025 school year, there are 31 public schools serving 14,097 students in Fort Smith, AR (there are 11 private schools, serving 1,800 private students). 89% of all K-12 students in Fort Smith, AR are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
The top ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR are John P. Woods Elementary School, L. A. Chaffin Middle School and Euper Lane Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Fort Smith, AR public schools have an average math proficiency score of 35% (versus the Arkansas public school average of 39%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 40% statewide average). Schools in Fort Smith have an average ranking of 5/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Arkansas public schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public school average of 42% (majority Black).
Best Public Schools in Fort Smith, AR (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
John P. Woods Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 67%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3201 Massard Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-5808
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-5808
Grades: PK-5
| 505 students
Rank: #22.
L. A. Chaffin Middle School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
3025 Massard Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2226
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2226
Grades: 6-8
| 691 students
Rank: #33.
Euper Lane Elementary School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
6601 Euper Ln
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2601
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 452-2601
Grades: PK-5
| 401 students
Rank: #44.
Bonneville Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2500 S Waldron Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 478-3161
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 478-3161
Grades: PK-5
| 290 students
Rank: #55.
Beard Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1600 Cavanaugh Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-0834
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-0834
Grades: PK-5
| 287 students
Rank: #66.
Elmer H. Cook Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
3517 Brooken Hill Dr
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-8880
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-8880
Grades: PK-5
| 494 students
Rank: #77.
Cavanaugh Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1025 School St
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-1131
Fort Smith, AR 72908
(479) 646-1131
Grades: PK-5
| 298 students
Rank: #88.
Ramsey Middle School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3201 Jenny Lind Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-5115
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-5115
Grades: 6-8
| 808 students
Rank: #99.
Ballman Elementary School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
2601 South Q St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1280
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-1280
Grades: PK-5
| 284 students
Rank: #1010.
Southside High School
(Math: 36% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 1,970 students
Rank: #1111.
Fairview Elementary School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2400 S Dallas
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-3214
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-3214
Grades: PK-5
| 491 students
Rank: #1212.
Spradling Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
4949 Spradling Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-8048
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-8048
Grades: PK-5
| 294 students
Rank: #1313.
Raymond F. Orr Elem. School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3609 Phoenix St
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-3711
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 646-3711
Grades: PK-5
| 309 students
Rank: #1414.
Dora Kimmons Middle School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2201 N 50th St
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-2451
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-2451
Grades: 6-8
| 800 students
Rank: #1515.
Harry C. Morrison Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3415 Newlon Rd
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 782-7045
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 782-7045
Grades: PK-5
| 418 students
Rank: #1616.
William O. Darby Middle School
(Math: 24% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
616 N 14th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-4159
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-4159
Grades: 6-8
| 720 students
Rank: #1717.
Sunnymede Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 26%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4201 North O St
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-6327
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-6327
Grades: PK-5
| 503 students
Rank: #1818.
Carnall Elementary School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2524 S Tulsa St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 646-3612
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 646-3612
Grades: PK-5
| 203 students
Rank: #1919.
Trusty Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3300 Harris Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-7720
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 783-7720
Grades: K-5
| 119 students
Rank: #2020.
Future School Of Fort Smith
Charter School
(Math: 10-14% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
622 N 7th St
Fort Smith, AR 72917
(479) 431-8695
Fort Smith, AR 72917
(479) 431-8695
Grades: 9-12
| 219 students
Rank: #2121.
Northside High School
(Math: 19% | 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
Grades: 9-12
| 2,253 students
Rank: #2222.
Tilles Elementary School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
815 N 16th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 785-5606
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 785-5606
Grades: PK-5
| 341 students
Rank: #2323.
Howard Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
1301 N 8th St
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7382
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-7382
Grades: PK-5
| 253 students
Rank: #2424.
Sutton Elementary School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
5001 Kelley Hwy
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-1778
Fort Smith, AR 72904
(479) 785-1778
Grades: PK-5
| 416 students
Rank: #2525.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 15-19% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4111 Park Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 783-4506
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 783-4506
Grades: PK-5
| 359 students
Rank: #2626.
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
Grades: 6-12
| 73 students
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
Grades: K-12
| 133 students
Rank: n/an/a
Haas Hall Academy Fort Smith
Charter School
1000 Fianna Way
Fort Smith, AR 72919
(479) 977-4930
Fort Smith, AR 72919
(479) 977-4930
Grades: 7-12
| 67 students
Rank: n/an/a
Institute For The Creative Arts School
Charter School
1101 Riverfront Dr
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 434-2020
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 434-2020
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
Premier High School Of Fort Smith
Charter School
3400 Rogers Avenue Ste. 126
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 366-9410
Fort Smith, AR 72903
(479) 366-9410
Grades: 9-12
| 98 students
Rank: n/an/a
Western Arkansas Technical Center
Vocational School
5210 Grand Ave
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7720
Fort Smith, AR 72913
(479) 788-7720
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR?
The top ranked public schools in Fort Smith, AR include John P. Woods Elementary School, L. A. Chaffin Middle School and Euper Lane Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Fort Smith?
31 public schools are located in Fort Smith.
What percentage of students in Fort Smith go to public school?
89% of all K-12 students in Fort Smith are educated in public schools (compared to the AR state average of 94%).
What is the racial composition of students in Fort Smith?
Fort Smith public schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Arkansas public schools average of 42% (majority Black).
Which public schools in Fort Smith are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Fort Smith include: Northside High School vs. Southside High School, Southside High School vs. Northside High School, L. A. Chaffin Middle School vs. Ramsey Middle School
Recent Articles
What Is A Charter School?
Explore the world of charter schools in this comprehensive guide. Learn about their history, how they operate, and the pros and cons of this educational innovation. Discover key facts about charter schools, including admission policies, demographics, and funding, as well as what to look for when considering a charter school for your child.
10 Reasons Why High School Sports Benefit Students
Discover the 10 compelling reasons why high school sports are beneficial for students. This comprehensive article explores how athletics enhance academic performance, foster personal growth, and develop crucial life skills. From improved fitness and time management to leadership development and community representation, learn why participating in high school sports can be a game-changer for students' overall success and well-being.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
