Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Carnall Elementary School

Q: Is Carnall Elementary School a good school?

Carnall Elementary School ranks 294 th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

294^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 491 Arkansas Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of Arkansas elementary schools

Summary

Carnall Elementary School is a small, high-poverty school in Fort Smith, AR, serving 172 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Fort Smith School District.

The most defining feature of Carnall is its dramatic turnaround in the 2025-2026 school year, jumping from the 19th percentile to the 40th percentile in state rankings—its highest in a decade. This improvement is driven almost entirely by an exceptional 4th grade class, which scored significantly above district and state averages in every subject. For example, 75% of Carnall's 4th graders were proficient in math, compared to just 41.6% district-wide and 47% statewide. This cohort outperformed peers at higher-ranked nearby schools like Bonneville Elementary School and Ballman Elementary School. However, 3rd and 5th grade scores remain very low, suggesting this success may be a "cohort effect" rather than a school-wide trend. Carnall also spends the most per student ($17,679) among comparable schools, far more than Elmer H. Cook Elementary School ($11,805), which consistently achieves higher rankings.

With 91.28% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, Carnall is one of the most economically disadvantaged schools in the area, tied with Tilles Elementary School. This context makes its recent gains noteworthy, positioning it as a potential model for success in high-poverty corridors. The key question for parents is whether the school can replicate its 4th grade success across all grades, turning a one-time bright spot into sustainable improvement.

172

Students ?

18.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,679

Per pupil spending ?

91.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2524 South Tulsa St
Fort Smith, AR 72901

(479) 646-3612

District: Fort Smith School District

Students who attend Carnall Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Ramsey Middle School
High:	Southside High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.9%

Hispanic:

23.3%

Two or more races:

16.3%

See top rated Arkansas elementary schools

Compare Carnall Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 15th percentile in 2016 → 40th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 25 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school39%

District avg39%

Arkansas avg42%

294^th of 491

Arkansas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▲ up 25 pts since 2016

From bottom 15% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 17Elementary Schools in the Fort Smith School District

142^nd of 251Fort Smith 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	43.0	294 of 491	40.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	23.3	400 of 495	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.7	439 of 497	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	19.6	412 of 492	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	19.7	406 of 487	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	48.8	282 of 496	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2019	33.4	359 of 488	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	21.7	403 of 480	16.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	38.8	325 of 485	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	21.8	420 of 494	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	35.5	318 of 466	31.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	41.6	332 of 471	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	64.0	178 of 476	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	49.5	289 of 468	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	54.1	256 of 471	45.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	54.3	249 of 457	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	42.7	296 of 445	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	55.2	224 of 439	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	68.2	135 of 440	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2006	70.5	112 of 402	72.1%	★★★★☆
2005	40.9	280 of 411	31.9%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Reading44%+4 vs state

English Language Arts40%~ state avg

Mathematics35%-9 vs state

Science35%-9 vs state

5.0

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★3

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Carnall Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a citizen
Friday, July 18, 2025

This school is a gem! The staff at Carnall are so welcoming and caring. They work hard to make sure students are taken care of academically, socially, and emotionally. The school always looks beautiful, clean, and welcoming. Close Quote

by a citizen
Tuesday, April 13, 2021

The staff works diligently to keep kids safe and engaged in learning. The leadership team is very intelligent. The custodial staff are top notch. But most of all, faculty members love their students, and visitors can see it! It's a family there. Carnall is a small, sweet place for students to work and learn! Close Quote

Schools Near Carnall Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 All Grades	ATLAS Reading 3rd Grade	ATLAS Reading 4th Grade	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 3rd Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 4th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Science 3rd Grade	ATLAS Science 4th Grade	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Carnall Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2524 South Tulsa St	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-3612	172	9	18.8	91.3%	79 (45.9%)	22 (12.8%)	40 (23.3%)	2 (1.2%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (16.3%)	43	294^th of 491 public elementary schools	40.1%		23.3	400^th of 495 public elementary schools	19.2%	106	28.5	60.0	33.3	39.7	38.0	65.0	33.3	44.1	19.0	75.0	18.5	35.3	28.6	55.0	25.9	35.3	$17,679	$2,202	$15,477
Raymond F. Orr Elementary School	Public	K-5	3609 Phoenix Ave	Fort Smith	72903	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-3711	235	14	17.0	70.6%	124 (52.8%)	18 (7.7%)	32 (13.6%)	12 (5.1%)	3 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (19.6%)								(n/a)																	$16,992	$4,555	$12,437
Fairview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2400 S Dallas St	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 783-3214	582	32	17.9	80.6%	236 (40.5%)	43 (7.4%)	178 (30.6%)	10 (1.7%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	110 (18.9%)	41.7	300^th of 491 public elementary schools	38.9%		42.7	298^th of 495 public elementary schools	39.8%	2	38.1	36.2	48.0	41.0	38.1	29.7	44.0	37.4	32.1	37.3	44.0	38.2	35.7	30.9	32.0	32.7	$11,809	$1,299	$10,510
Beard Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Cavanaugh Rd	Fort Smith	72908	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-0834	297	19	15.3	78.1%	136 (45.8%)	32 (10.8%)	54 (18.2%)	19 (6.4%)	3 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (17.8%)	51.1	252^nd of 491 public elementary schools	48.7%		32.4	359^th of 495 public elementary schools	27.5%	107	43.2	29.8	50.0	41.0	43.2	31.9	45.9	40.1	40.5	31.9	52.1	41.7	51.3	27.7	50.0	42.4	$14,170	$2,080	$12,089
Cavanaugh Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1025 School St	Fort Smith	72908	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-1131	303	18	16.6	71.9%	139 (45.9%)	38 (12.5%)	59 (19.5%)	16 (5.3%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (16.2%)	76.1	109^th of 491 public elementary schools	77.8%		80.9	79^th of 495 public elementary schools	84.0%	30	55.9	47.5	52.1	51.9	55.8	50.0	47.9	51.2	51.2	60.0	58.3	56.5	41.9	62.5	58.4	54.2	$14,156	$1,588	$12,568
Ballman Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2601 S Q St	Fort Smith	72901	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 783-1280	286	15	18.7	67.1%	144 (50.3%)	20 (7.0%)	79 (27.6%)	5 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (13.3%)	51.6	249^th of 491 public elementary schools	49.3%		64.7	164^th of 495 public elementary schools	66.9%	85	32.7	39.6	40.0	37.6	36.7	34.5	44.0	38.2	53.1	43.1	48.0	47.8	40.8	50.9	42.0	44.8	$13,689	$1,511	$12,178
Bonneville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2500 South Waldron Rd	Fort Smith	72903	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 478-3161	287	15	19.1	74.6%	114 (39.7%)	38 (13.2%)	65 (22.6%)	23 (8.0%)	4 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (15.0%)	58.9	204^th of 491 public elementary schools	58.5%		61	190^th of 495 public elementary schools	61.6%	14	55.3	40.0	48.1	47.3	53.1	36.4	44.4	44.2	40.4	40.0	44.4	41.1	53.2	41.8	55.5	48.9	$12,206	$1,033	$11,173
Elmer H. Cook Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3517 Brooken Hill Dr	Fort Smith	72908	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 646-8880	459	24	19.3	57.1%	242 (52.7%)	36 (7.8%)	66 (14.4%)	18 (3.9%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	94 (20.5%)	79	85^th of 491 public elementary schools	82.7%		76.5	101^st of 495 public elementary schools	79.6%	16	52.3	47.6	65.6	55.5	50.0	48.7	61.3	53.6	66.2	50.0	63.4	60.2	55.8	50.0	53.7	53.3	$11,805	$1,594	$10,211
Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4111 Park Ave	Fort Smith	72903	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 783-4506	387	20	19.3	89.9%	79 (20.4%)	42 (10.9%)	210 (54.3%)	7 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (12.7%)	13.1	447^th of 491 public elementary schools	9.0%		21.3	404^th of 495 public elementary schools	18.4%	43	19.5	20.0	19.7	19.7	15.3	20.0	19.7	18.0	18.3	22.4	30.3	23.3	19.7	40.8	21.4	26.2	$13,603	$2,816	$10,787
Euper Lane Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6601 Euper Ln	Fort Smith	72903	Sebastian County	Fort Smith School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 452-2601	397	24	16.2	61.5%	188 (47.4%)	26 (6.5%)	96 (24.2%)	16 (4.0%)	5 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	65 (16.4%)	66.3	162^nd of 491 public elementary schools	67.0%		57.4	217^th of 495 public elementary schools	56.2%	55	58.5	50.0	41.3	50.4	60.4	41.6	43.5	49.0	58.5	56.2	45.6	53.8	52.8	37.5	37.0	42.8	$14,761	$1,961	$12,800

Frequently Asked Questions about Carnall Elementary School

How many students attend Carnall Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 172 students attended Carnall Elementary School.

What district is Carnall Elementary School in?

Fort Smith School District

What is the racial makeup of Carnall Elementary School?

Students at Carnall Elementary School are 46% White, 23% Hispanic, 16% Two or more races, 13% African American, 1% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Carnall Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Carnall Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Ramsey Middle School
High : Southside High School

Is Carnall Elementary School a good school?

Carnall Elementary School ranks 294^th of 491 Arkansas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Carnall Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

ARArkansas Elementary School Rankings

ARArkansas District Rankings

Schools in Fort Smith, AR

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Carnall Elementary School!

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.