Best school districts in Arkansas

A good school can lead to a lifetime of opportunities. Myriad data shows that lifetime earnings dramatically increase with every degree obtained. Bachelor's degree holders will earn an average of roughly $26,000 more each year than high school graduates. And for those who decide that pursuing a college degree is not the best postsecondary option, a good school will provide students with the tools and support to make that choice, and the foundational skills necessary to succeed in the workforce.

For many families, the school district is a top criteria when deciding where to buy a home. But this consideration and ability to choose is not a luxury all families can afford, especially in today's wildly competitive housing market.

One important proxy of a quality education is per-student spending. According to the most recent Census data available, the national average per-pupil expenditure in fiscal year 2019 was $13,187. Several recent studies suggest that increased spending per student correlates with higher academic achievement, particularly in districts serving predominantly low-income students. Since public schools are largely funded by property taxes, schools in low-income areas suffer the most from a lack of funding for critical expenditures like staff salaries and benefits, transportation, instructional resources, and support services.

There are more than 13,000 school districts in the U.S., each one slightly different, for better or worse, than the next. However, several common denominators exist and, when compared, can serve as indicators of what makes an impactful district.

Stacker compiled a list of the best school districts in Arkansas using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks school districts based on a variety of criteria including academics (SAT/ACT scores and state proficiency tests), teacher salaries, expenses per student, and access to extracurricular activities.

#10. Fayetteville School District (Fayetteville)
- Number of schools: 16 (10,628 students)
- Graduation rate: 88% (57% reading proficient and 61% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $52,815 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)

#9. Bryant School District (Bryant)
- Number of schools: 12 (9,459 students)
- Graduation rate: 90% (56% reading proficient and 62% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $48,087 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)

#8. Bismarck School District (Bismarck)
- Number of schools: 3 (1,017 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (67% reading proficient and 74% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $42,652 (9:1 student to teacher ratio)

#7. Pottsville School District (Pottsville)
- Number of schools: 4 (1,762 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (64% reading proficient and 68% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $45,940 (11:1 student to teacher ratio)

#6. Benton School District (Benton)
- Number of schools: 7 (5,648 students)
- Graduation rate: 96% (53% reading proficient and 61% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $47,610 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)

#5. Greenbrier School District (Greenbrier)
- Number of schools: 7 (3,613 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (69% reading proficient and 74% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $50,134 (16:1 student to teacher ratio)

#4. Lakeside School District (Hot Springs) (Hot Springs)
- Number of schools: 4 (3,570 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (54% reading proficient and 63% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $50,376 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)

#3. Greenwood School District (Greenwood)
- Number of schools: 6 (3,833 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (62% reading proficient and 68% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $49,478 (12:1 student to teacher ratio)

#2. Bentonville Public Schools (Bentonville)
- Number of schools: 22 (17,848 students)
- Graduation rate: 93% (65% reading proficient and 67% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $53,408 (15:1 student to teacher ratio)

#1. Haas Hall Academy (Fayetteville)
- Number of schools: 3 (1,001 students)
- Graduation rate: 95% (89% reading proficient and 89% math proficient)
- Average teacher salary: $19,430 (14:1 student to teacher ratio)