Summary:
The LAKESIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Garland) in Hot Springs, Arkansas, operates two elementary schools—Lakeside Intermediate School (grades 2-4) and Lakeside Primary School (Pre-K through 1st grade)—that together form a highly effective academic pipeline, with the district ranking 18th out of 251 statewide and earning a 5-star rating.
Lakeside Intermediate School is the standout performer academically, consistently exceeding state averages by wide margins. In the 2025-2026 school year, 67.7% of its students were proficient in math compared to 44.1% statewide, and it posted strong results in ELA (50.4% vs. 39.4%) and science (54.6% vs. 44.0%). The school also showed impressive year-over-year growth, with math proficiency jumping 11.1 percentage points. Meanwhile, Lakeside Primary School stands out for its high per-student spending of $14,895—nearly $4,000 more than the intermediate school—likely reflecting the higher costs of early childhood education, though it has a slightly higher student-teacher ratio of 19.1:1 compared to 16.4:1 at the intermediate level.
Both schools serve a similar socioeconomic profile, with about half of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, suggesting the district’s academic success stems from consistent instructional strategies rather than demographic shifts. The primary school’s significant investment in foundational learning appears to pay off as students transition to the intermediate school, where they achieve top-tier test scores. This cohesive feeder pattern, combined with the intermediate school’s dramatic math advantage and overall improvement, makes the district a compelling choice for families seeking strong elementary education in the Hot Springs area.
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