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South Side High School

Q: Is South Side High School a good school?

South Side High School ranks 98 th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 7-12

98^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 293 Arkansas High Schools

Better than 67% of Arkansas high schools

Summary

South Side High School in Bee Branch, AR, is a small, rural school serving 249 students in grades 7 through 12 as part of the SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren).

This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 94.2%, which is the highest among nearby schools and well above the state average, even as it faces a dramatic recent increase in economic disadvantage—with 98.8% of students now qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The school has shown steady improvement over the past decade, climbing from a 1-star rating to a consistent 3-star rating, and now ranks in the 67th percentile among Arkansas high schools. A key strength is English Language Arts, where students outperform both district and state averages. However, math and science proficiency lag behind, with only 35.6% proficient in math compared to 44.1% statewide. Interestingly, the 7th grade class is a standout, with 57.1% proficient in math—far exceeding the state average—but this success drops sharply in 8th grade, suggesting a need for targeted support. Compared to similar-sized Rose Bud High School, South Side excels in ELA and graduation rates, while Rose Bud leads in math.

The school invests heavily in its students, spending $17,866 per pupil—among the highest in the area—which supports a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1. This investment likely helps the school maintain its strong graduation rate despite the recent spike in poverty. While the school has built a solid foundation in literacy and student support, its primary challenge is addressing the math and science achievement gap, particularly the inconsistent performance across grade levels and subjects like Geometry and Biology. With its positive trajectory and dedicated resources, South Side is well-positioned to continue improving and supporting its students through these challenges.

249

Students ?

7.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,866

Per pupil spending ?

98.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

334 Southside Road
Bee Branch, AR 72013

(501) 654-2242

District: SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren)

Feeder schools for South Side High School:

Elementary:

South Side Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

90.4%

Two or more races:

4.8%

Hispanic:

3.6%

See top rated Arkansas high schools

Compare South Side High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 19th percentile in 2016 → 67th in 2026

Strengths

✓94% graduate in 4 years — above the Arkansas average (90%)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 48 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Arkansas median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Science scores 12 pts below the Arkansas average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg42%

Arkansas avg41%

Middle school

151^st of 327

Arkansas public middle schools ?

Top 46%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 49% (2016) to top 46% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

98^th of 293

Arkansas public high schools ?

Top 33%▲ up 47 pts since 2016

From bottom 19% (2016) to top 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

97^th of 251SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren) 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	52.7	151 of 327	53.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	54.4	139 of 324	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	52.5	140 of 335	58.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.7	65 of 330	80.3%	★★★★☆
2022	50.4	163 of 318	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2021	31.0	248 of 330	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	51.1	166 of 319	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	60.3	132 of 318	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2017	55.5	141 of 315	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2016	49.4	158 of 312	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2015	32.7	192 of 275	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2014	49.6	158 of 280	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2013	24.0	232 of 278	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	64.7	99 of 265	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	42.3	182 of 264	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	48.4	150 of 254	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	38.6	169 of 240	29.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	62.0	88 of 223	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	42.6	154 of 225	31.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	37.8	148 of 206	28.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	51.2	109 of 208	47.6%	★★☆☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Arkansas percentile	Rating
2026	61.3	98 of 293	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.1	113 of 291	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.6	114 of 305	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2023	48.2	154 of 295	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	41.5	175 of 282	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	63.1	75 of 290	74.1%	★★★★☆
2019	56.4	115 of 282	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	157 of 263	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	46.9	149 of 264	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2016	29.2	217 of 269	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2015	31.4	193 of 267	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	54.1	116 of 268	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2013	50.3	131 of 271	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	54.2	121 of 266	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	61.5	76 of 266	71.4%	★★★★☆
2010	67.3	49 of 262	81.3%	★★★★☆
2009	69.5	40 of 261	84.7%	★★★★☆
2008	66.6	44 of 256	82.8%	★★★★☆
2007	59.2	69 of 258	73.3%	★★★★☆
2006	74.9	20 of 232	91.4%	★★★★★

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Algebra45%+8 vs state

Reading44%+4 vs state

English Language Arts43%+4 vs state

Biology41%~ state avg

Mathematics36%-8 vs state

Science32%-12 vs state

Geometry21%-6 vs state

★

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Schools Near South Side High 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 Algebra (2026)		ATLAS Geometry (2026)			ATLAS Science (2026)			ATLAS Biology (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 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 9th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 10th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading 9th Grade	ATLAS Reading 10th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 9th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 9th Grade	ATLAS Geometry 10th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	ATLAS Biology 9th Grade	ATLAS Biology 10th Grade	ATLAS Biology All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
South Side High School	Public	7-12	334 Southside Road	Bee Branch	72013	Van Buren County	SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren)	No	No	No	No	(501) 654-2242	249	35	7.0	98.8%	225 (90.4%)	1 (0.4%)	9 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (4.8%)	61.3	98^th of 293 public high schools	66.6%		55.1	113^th of 291 public high schools	61.2%	15	46.4	40.0	45.0	41.0	43.1	46.4	37.5	46.7	46.1	44.3	57.1	16.1	35.6	38.5	44.9	30.0	14.8	20.9	35.7	30.0	32.3	46.9	30.8	41.3	$17,866	$872	$16,994
Guy-Perkins High School	Public	7-12	492 Highway 25 North	Guy	72061	Faulkner County	Guy Perkins School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 679-3507	155	15	10.1	92.9%	131 (84.5%)	17 (11.0%)	4 (2.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.3%)	28.2	233^rd of 293 public high schools	20.5%		46.3	154^th of 291 public high schools	47.1%	79	23.5	36.0	21.4	22.7	27.0	29.4	40.0	21.4	27.3	30.8	0.0	12.5	6.1	30.8	43.4		14.3	14.3	23.5	36.0	31.0		19.0	19.0	$16,886	$1,147	$15,739
Quitman High School	Public	9-12	6275 Heber Springs Road West	Quitman	72131	Cleburne County	Quitman School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 589-2554	308	39	7.9	44.2%	292 (94.8%)	7 (2.3%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.9%)	59.7	106^th of 293 public high schools	63.8%		77.8	37^th of 291 public high schools	87.3%	69			40.3	32.4	36.0			43.5	31.1	36.8				29.4	29.4		24.0	25.7					47.2	48.7	$16,566	$672	$15,894
Nemo Vista High School	Public	9-12	5690 Hwy 9	Center Ridge	72027	Conway County	Nemo Vista School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 893-2811	130	46	2.8	45.4%	112 (86.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (6.9%)	36.3	205^th of 293 public high schools	30.0%		51.3	131^st of 291 public high schools	55.0%	74			23.0	29.4	26.7			26.9	35.3	31.7				11.8	11.2		3.8	8.6				46.2	53.4	51.2	$14,862	$391	$14,472
Clinton High School	Public	9-12	489 Yellowjacket Lane	Clinton	72031	Van Buren County	Clinton School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 745-6070	390	58	6.6	100.0%	352 (90.3%)	2 (0.5%)	27 (6.9%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	71.8	51^st of 293 public high schools	82.6%		74.4	45^th of 291 public high schools	84.5%	6			42.6	43.8	43.1			46.5	43.8	45.3				35.8	34.4	76.4	16.7	28.9					49.4	49.3	$12,402	$656	$11,746
Greenbrier High School	Public	10-12	72 Green Valley Drive	Greenbrier	72058	Faulkner County	Greenbrier School District	No	No	No	No	(501) 679-4236	818	51	16.0	39.1%	735 (89.9%)	16 (2.0%)	45 (5.5%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (1.8%)	68.4	66^th of 293 public high schools	77.5%		70.5	54^th of 291 public high schools	81.4%	12				45.2	45.2				48.4	48.4							23.1	23.1					20.5	20.2	$11,729	$601	$11,128
West Side High School	Public	7-12	7295 Greers Ferry Road	Greers Ferry	72067	Cleburne County	WEST SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Cleburne)	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 825-7241	213	38	5.6	100.0%	209 (98.1%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	71.5	52^nd of 293 public high schools	82.3%		65.8	69^th of 291 public high schools	76.3%	17	54.6	41.4	38.5	41.4	43.9	54.5	41.4	48.7	44.8	47.7	60.6	41.3	51.7	33.3	33.3		16.7	28.5	54.5	55.2	54.9		61.5	59.2	$17,634	$1,636	$15,998
Shirley High School	Public	7-12	201 Blue Devil Drive	Shirley	72153	Van Buren County	Shirley School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 518-2223	110	14	7.5	74.5%	103 (93.6%)	2 (1.8%)	2 (1.8%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	35.3	211^th of 293 public high schools	28.0%		41.8	175^th of 291 public high schools	39.9%	36	21.9	29.4	30.8	38.5	28.0	34.4	29.4	38.5	38.5	34.7	31.3	0.0	20.4	0.0	0.0		8.3	8.3	31.3	23.5	28.6		15.4	13.4	$17,009	$2,743	$14,266
Rose Bud High School	Public	7-12	124 School Road	Rose Bud	72137	White County	Rose Bud School District	No	No	No	Yes	(501) 556-5404	308	69	4.4	55.5%	286 (92.9%)	2 (0.6%)	16 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	66.5	76^th of 293 public high schools	74.1%		80.2	31^st of 291 public high schools	89.3%	45	42.9	31.5	50.0	40.5	41.0	36.7	37.0	50.0	40.4	41.0	51.1	62.2	56.4	59.5	64.2		0.0	5.2	42.9	38.9	40.7		35.0	36.1	$14,725	$817	$13,908

Frequently Asked Questions about South Side High School

How many students attend South Side High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 249 students attended South Side High School.

Is South Side High School a good school?

South Side High School ranks 98^th of 293 Arkansas high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into South Side High School?

South Side High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : South Side Elementary School

What district is South Side High School in?

SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren)

What is the racial makeup of South Side High School?

Students at South Side High School are 90% White, 5% Two or more races, 4% Hispanic.

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ARArkansas High School Rankings

ARArkansas District Rankings

Schools in Bee Branch, AR

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresNewJul 13, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesMar 5, 2026

2019–20 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 6, 2026

2017–18 through 2024–25 dropout ratesJan 6, 2026

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.