Best Public Schools in Hot Springs, AR

The city of Hot Springs, Arkansas is home to 16 schools across 4 different school districts, serving students from elementary through high school. The data reveals a mix of high-performing and struggling schools, with stark contrasts in academic achievement between the top-ranked Lakeside School District and the lower-ranked Hot Springs and Cutter-Morning Star school districts.

Standout schools include Lakeside High School, which has consistently been one of the top-performing high schools in the state, and Park Magnet An Ib Pyp World Class School, an elementary school that ranks among the best in Arkansas. Meanwhile, many high-poverty schools like Main Street Visual & Performing Arts Magnet School and Oaklawn Stem Magnet School struggle academically, highlighting the challenges faced by disadvantaged schools.

The data also reveals the importance of early academic foundations, with performance gaps emerging as early as 3rd grade. Schools that excel in the early grades, like Lakeside Intermediate School, tend to maintain strong performance through higher grades. Overall, the Hot Springs school system shows both pockets of excellence and significant room for improvement, with disparities in resources and student demographics playing a major role in shaping educational outcomes.