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Amanda Gist Elementary School

Q: Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a good school?

Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks 128 th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

128^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 74% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Amanda Gist Elementary School in Cotter, AR, serves 374 students in grades PK-6 and is part of the top-ranked Cotter School District, which is ranked 19th out of 251 districts in Arkansas (92nd percentile).

This school stands out for its exceptional performance in science and math, with 59.1% of students proficient in science and 54.5% proficient in math in the 2025-2026 school year—both well above state averages. Sixth graders particularly shine in math, achieving a 63.3% proficiency rate. While English Language Arts scores are more moderate at 48% proficiency, they still exceed the state average. What makes these results especially impressive is that the school serves a population with 100% economic disadvantage, yet it consistently outperforms nearby schools with similar demographics. For example, Flippin Elementary School, just 4.42 miles away, has significantly lower proficiency rates in every subject, including math (43.2%) and science (44.7%).

The school's success is supported by a low student-teacher ratio of 13.2:1 and higher-than-average spending of $13,641 per student, which allows for more individualized attention compared to larger nearby schools like Hackler Intermediate School (18.5:1 ratio) and Yellville-Summit Elementary School (19.3:1 ratio). Amanda Gist has maintained a 4-star rating for the past decade, demonstrating consistent excellence even through challenging years. This stability, combined with strong resource allocation and effective teaching practices, makes it a standout choice for families in the Cotter area.

374

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$13,641

Per pupil spending ?

100%

Free/discounted lunch ?

152 Lucille
Cotter, AR 72626

(870) 435-6655

District: Cotter School District

Students who attend Amanda Gist Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Cotter High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

94.9%

Hispanic:

1.9%

Two or more races:

1.3%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Amanda Gist Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 78th percentile in 2016 → 74th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Arkansas average (52% vs 42% meeting standards)

✓Above the Arkansas median (74th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg52%

Arkansas avg42%

128^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Top 26%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 26% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

19^th of 251Cotter School District among Arkansas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	72.7	128 of 491	73.9%	★★★★☆
2025	74.0	117 of 495	76.4%	★★★★☆
2024	75.2	107 of 497	78.5%	★★★★☆
2023	76.6	105 of 492	78.7%	★★★★☆
2022	68.2	145 of 487	70.2%	★★★★☆
2021	71.3	127 of 496	74.4%	★★★★☆
2019	69.1	138 of 488	71.7%	★★★★☆
2018	75.0	104 of 480	78.3%	★★★★☆
2017	72.8	107 of 485	77.9%	★★★★☆
2016	71.3	107 of 494	78.3%	★★★★☆
2015	80.8	66 of 466	85.8%	★★★★☆
2014	76.0	87 of 471	81.5%	★★★★☆
2013	79.0	58 of 476	87.8%	★★★★☆
2012	73.5	98 of 468	79.1%	★★★★☆
2011	79.1	66 of 471	86.0%	★★★★☆
2010	82.4	45 of 457	90.2%	★★★★★
2009	80.3	62 of 445	86.1%	★★★★☆
2008	74.4	95 of 439	78.4%	★★★★☆
2007	76.7	83 of 440	81.1%	★★★★☆
2006	77.8	71 of 402	82.3%	★★★★☆
2005	81.5	49 of 411	88.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Science59%+15 vs state

Mathematics55%+10 vs state

English Language Arts48%+9 vs state

Reading46%+6 vs state

★

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Schools Near Amanda Gist Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				ATLAS English Language Arts (2026)					ATLAS Reading (2026)					ATLAS Mathematics (2026)					ATLAS Science (2026)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	ATLAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Amanda Gist Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	152 Lucille	Cotter	72626	Baxter County	Cotter School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 435-6655	374	28	13.2	100.0%	355 (94.9%)	4 (1.1%)	7 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.3%)	72.7	128^th of 491 public elementary schools	73.9%		74	117^th of 495 public elementary schools	76.4%	11	45.6	45.1	50.0	51.0	48.0	39.1	43.1	50.0	51.0	46.0	45.7	51.0	57.7	63.3	54.5	50.0	55.0	67.3	63.3	59.1	$13,641	$2,219	$11,421
Flippin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	144 School Lane.	Flippin	72634	Marion County	Flippin School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 453-8860	337	34	9.8	100.0%	317 (94.1%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.7%)	52.9	240^th of 491 public elementary schools	51.1%		65.3	161^st of 495 public elementary schools	67.5%	79	44.7	40.8			42.5	42.9	40.8			41.6	46.4	40.8			43.2	42.9	46.1			44.7	$15,478	$3,053	$12,424
Hackler Intermediate School	Public	3-5	1310 Post Oak Road	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1288	837	45	18.5	50.4%	751 (89.7%)	9 (1.1%)	36 (4.3%)	7 (0.8%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (3.7%)	65.8	169^th of 491 public elementary schools	65.6%		62	178^th of 495 public elementary schools	64.0%	9	42.2	49.0	46.6		45.9	44.0	46.7	47.9		46.3	54.1	52.5	51.7		52.7	53.7	42.5	45.2		47.1	$10,360	$1,150	$9,209
Mountain Home Kindergarten	Public	PK-K	1310 Post Oak Road	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1256	300	18	16.3	51.3%	273 (91.0%)	2 (0.7%)	11 (3.7%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (3.0%)								(n/a)																					$13,607	$1,691	$11,917
Nelson Wilks Herron Elementary	Public	1-2	618 North College	Mountain Home	72653	Baxter County	Mountain Home School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 425-1251	559	32	17.3	48.5%	496 (88.7%)	2 (0.4%)	27 (4.8%)	12 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (3.6%)								(n/a)																					$11,265	$1,541	$9,723
Yellville-Summit Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	1124 N Panther Ave	Yellville	72687	Marion County	Yellville Summit School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 449-4244	442	23	19.3	99.3%	424 (95.9%)	4 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.3%)	64.3	175^th of 491 public elementary schools	64.4%		68.8	147^th of 495 public elementary schools	70.3%	28	42.4	45.1			43.8	39.4	42.3			40.9	56.1	64.8			60.6	54.5	46.5			50.4	$13,283	$2,415	$10,868
Norfork Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	161 Mildred Simpson Drive	Norfork	72658	Baxter County	Norfork School District	No	No	No	Yes	(870) 499-5228	273	18	14.7	60.8%	264 (96.7%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (2.2%)	77.1	100^th of 491 public elementary schools	79.6%		75.9	105^th of 495 public elementary schools	78.8%	5	60.5	63.2	36.2	53.5	52.4	57.9	60.5	38.3	57.1	52.3	60.6	63.2	51.1	67.9	59.6	57.9	68.4	40.4	64.3	56.3	$12,547	$1,467	$11,079
Bruno-Pyatt Elementary	Public	K-6	4754 Hwy 125 S	Western Grove	72685	Marion County	Ozark Mountain School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(870) 427-5227	28	9	3.2	89.3%	28 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Amanda Gist Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Amanda Gist Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Amanda Gist Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Cotter High School

Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a good school?

Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks 128^th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Amanda Gist Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 374 students attended Amanda Gist Elementary School.

What district is Amanda Gist Elementary School in?

Cotter School District

What is the racial makeup of Amanda Gist Elementary School?

Students at Amanda Gist Elementary School are 95% White, 2% Hispanic, 1% Two or more races, 1% African American.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.