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Helen Tyson Middle School

Q: Is Helen Tyson Middle School a good school?

Helen Tyson Middle School ranks 206 th of 327 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-7

206^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 327 Arkansas Middle Schools

Better than 37% of Arkansas middle schools

Summary

Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale, AR, serves 676 students in 6th and 7th grades and is part of the Springdale School District, where over 83% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a high-poverty community.

The most notable strength at Helen Tyson is its 7th-grade math program. In the 2025-2026 school year, 50.2% of 7th graders were proficient in math, which is the highest rate among all Springdale middle schools and above both the district and state averages. This creates a clear "7th-grade advantage," where 7th graders outperform 6th graders across all subjects—by 22 percentage points in math alone. The school also shows a steady upward trend in test scores over recent years, with all-grade proficiency in English Language Arts jumping from 25.3% to 34.1% and math from 35.7% to 38.8%. While Helen Tyson lags behind higher-performing schools like McNair Middle School in the Fayetteville School District (which has a 69.9% math proficiency rate and only 21.49% free/reduced lunch), it is the top-performing traditional middle school in Springdale, outperforming Sonora Middle School and J. O. Kelly Middle School in every subject.

Despite facing significant economic challenges, Helen Tyson is on a positive trajectory. The district invests more resources here, with per-student spending reaching $14,064—higher than the nearby 5-star Hellstern Middle School ($12,076) and McNair ($11,651). The student-teacher ratio of 13.3 is also favorable compared to many Fayetteville schools. This combination of targeted investment, effective 7th-grade instruction, and consistent improvement suggests that Helen Tyson is making real progress for its students, even as it works to close gaps with more affluent neighboring districts.

676

Students ?

13.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,064

Per pupil spending ?

83.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3304 South 40th Street
Springdale, AR 72765

(479) 750-8720

District: Springdale School District

Students who attend Helen Tyson Middle School usually attend:

High:

Har-Ber High School

Feeder schools for Helen Tyson Middle School:

Elementary:	Elmdale Elementary School
	John Tyson Elementary School
	Walker Elementary School
	Westwood Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

58.0%

White:

21.6%

Pacific Islander:

13.5%

See top rated Arkansas middle schools

Compare Helen Tyson Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 59th percentile in 2016 → 37th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Arkansas average (36% vs 42% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 22 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school36%

District avg39%

Arkansas avg42%

206^th of 327

Arkansas public middle schools ?

Bottom 37%▼ down 22 pts since 2016

From top 41% (2016) to bottom 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Arkansas Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 4Middle Schools in the Springdale School District

137^th of 251Springdale 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	41.2	206 of 327	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.0	227 of 324	29.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	39.9	206 of 335	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	43.8	202 of 330	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.6	210 of 318	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	47.3	188 of 330	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	53.1	153 of 319	52.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.2	174 of 318	45.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	57.9	132 of 315	58.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	58.1	127 of 312	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2015	74.0	43 of 275	84.4%	★★★★☆
2014	70.4	73 of 280	73.9%	★★★★☆
2013	76.3	39 of 278	86.0%	★★★★☆
2012	60.8	118 of 265	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	49.1	164 of 264	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	52.1	140 of 254	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2009	32.7	186 of 240	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	37.3	171 of 223	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	48.9	136 of 225	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	47.4	121 of 206	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2005	69.0	58 of 208	72.1%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Arkansas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics39%-5 vs state

Science37%-7 vs state

English Language Arts34%-5 vs state

Reading33%-8 vs state

★

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Schools Near Helen Tyson Middle 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)					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 5th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	ATLAS English Language Arts All Grades	ATLAS Reading 5th Grade	ATLAS Reading 6th Grade	ATLAS Reading 7th Grade	ATLAS Reading 8th Grade	ATLAS Reading All Grades	ATLAS Mathematics 5th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 6th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 7th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics 8th Grade	ATLAS Mathematics All Grades	ATLAS Algebra 7th Grade	ATLAS Algebra 8th Grade	ATLAS Algebra All Grades	ATLAS Geometry 8th Grade	ATLAS Geometry All Grades	ATLAS Science 5th Grade	ATLAS Science 6th Grade	ATLAS Science 7th Grade	ATLAS Science 8th Grade	ATLAS Science All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Helen Tyson Middle School	Public	6-7	3304 South 40th Street	Springdale	72765	Washington County	Springdale School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 750-8720	676	51	13.3	83.6%	146 (21.6%)	14 (2.1%)	392 (58.0%)	11 (1.6%)	3 (0.4%)	91 (13.5%)	19 (2.8%)	41.2	206^th of 327 public middle schools	37.0%		34	227^th of 324 public middle schools	29.9%	21		29.3	39.2		34.1		28.4	36.9		32.6		27.8	50.2		38.8							32.0	42.2		37.1	$14,064	$1,253	$12,811
Lisa Academy Fayetteville Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	1166 Van Asche Drive	Fayetteville	72704	Washington County	Lisa Academy	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(479) 717-6464	31	2	14.0	45.2%	16 (51.6%)	3 (9.7%)	7 (22.6%)	1 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (12.9%)	85	28^th of 327 public middle schools	91.4%					(n/a)		55.8	44.5		52.5		60.5	50.0		57.3		72.1	50.0		65.6							51.2	61.1		54.1
Hellstern Middle School	Public	6-7	7771 Har Ber Avenue	Springdale	72765	Washington County	Springdale School District	No	No	No	No	(479) 750-8725	849	52	16.3	43.5%	499 (58.8%)	19 (2.2%)	222 (26.1%)	29 (3.4%)	2 (0.2%)	52 (6.1%)	26 (3.1%)	87.7	22^nd of 327 public middle schools	93.3%		89.2	17^th of 324 public middle schools	94.8%	5		55.8	54.9		55.4		52.1	53.1		52.6		56.5	64.3		60.5							64.2	64.0		64.1	$12,076	$720	$11,357
J. O. Kelly Middle School	Public	6-7	1879 East Robinson Avenue	Springdale	72765	Washington County	Springdale School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 750-8730	663	50	13.3	94.1%	55 (8.3%)	11 (1.7%)	461 (69.5%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	126 (19.0%)	3 (0.5%)	19	278^th of 327 public middle schools	15.0%		20.2	269^th of 324 public middle schools	17.0%	9		23.7	31.1		27.4		24.7	27.8		26.2		26.4	23.8		25.2							20.0	24.5		22.2	$13,483	$1,342	$12,142
Holt Middle School	Public	5-6	2365 North Rupple Road	Fayetteville	72704	Washington County	Fayetteville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 527-3670	463	27	17.3	51.6%	268 (57.9%)	42 (9.1%)	77 (16.6%)	14 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.5%)	46 (9.9%)								(n/a)	48.9	51.8			50.4	50.3	52.6			51.5	56.8	58.4			57.6						59.0	59.4			59.2	$14,440	$1,030	$13,410
Woodland Junior High School	Public	7-8	1 E Poplar	Fayetteville	72703	Washington County	Fayetteville School District	No	No	No	No	(479) 444-3067	765	52	14.6	29.8%	566 (74.0%)	54 (7.1%)	69 (9.0%)	19 (2.5%)	3 (0.4%)	9 (1.2%)	45 (5.9%)	94.2	10^th of 327 public middle schools	96.9%		93.7	11^th of 324 public middle schools	96.6%	1			62.7	58.1	60.4			62.0	57.3	59.6			68.2	49.0	61.5		96.7	96.9					70.8	68.4	69.6	$14,340	$643	$13,697
McNair Middle School	Public	5-6	3030 East Mission Blvd	Fayetteville	72703	Washington County	Fayetteville School District	No	No	No	No	(479) 527-3660	670	36	18.7	21.5%	531 (79.3%)	26 (3.9%)	45 (6.7%)	21 (3.1%)	3 (0.4%)	7 (1.0%)	37 (5.5%)								(n/a)	66.0	66.6			66.4	63.3	67.3			65.3	66.7	72.9			69.9						70.7	68.5			69.7	$11,651	$529	$11,122
Ramay Junior High School	Public	7-8	401 S Sang	Fayetteville	72701	Washington County	Fayetteville School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 444-3064	761	57	13.3	52.3%	395 (51.9%)	118 (15.5%)	143 (18.8%)	13 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (2.0%)	76 (10.0%)	61.9	114^th of 327 public middle schools	65.1%		62.6	102^nd of 324 public middle schools	68.5%	12			42.5	37.6	40.0			41.6	37.9	39.7			50.1	24.0	39.3	100.0	77.5	80.7	100.0	100.0			53.7	44.9	49.1	$13,836	$1,026	$12,810
Sonora Middle School	Public	6-7	17051 East Highway 412	Springdale	72765	Washington County	Springdale School District	No	No	No	Yes	(479) 750-8821	668	46	14.5	86.1%	146 (21.9%)	13 (1.9%)	321 (48.1%)	11 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	165 (24.7%)	11 (1.6%)	26.5	257^th of 327 public middle schools	21.4%		27.9	244^th of 324 public middle schools	24.7%	13		24.9	22.6		23.7		24.9	26.2		25.5		27.9	37.0		32.4							30.8	41.2		36.0	$14,804	$1,759	$13,045
John L Colbert Middle School	Public	5-6	888 S Rupple Road	Fayetteville	72704	Washington County	Fayetteville School District	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(479) 718-0254	466	26	17.6	62.4%	210 (45.1%)	82 (17.6%)	86 (18.5%)	9 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.0%)	64 (13.7%)								(n/a)	40.2	37.9			39.0	41.1	41.4			41.2	41.5	45.0			43.3						40.2	44.5			42.3

Frequently Asked Questions about Helen Tyson Middle School

What district is Helen Tyson Middle School in?

Springdale School District

What high school do graduates of Helen Tyson Middle School attend?

Students who attend Helen Tyson Middle School usually go on to attend Har-Ber High School

What is the racial makeup of Helen Tyson Middle School?

Students at Helen Tyson Middle School are 58% Hispanic, 22% White, 13% Pacific Islander, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Asian.

Is Helen Tyson Middle School a good school?

Helen Tyson Middle School ranks 206^th of 327 Arkansas middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Helen Tyson Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 676 students attended Helen Tyson Middle School.

Rate Helen Tyson Middle School!

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Latest Arkansas data All new data »

2025–26 ATLAS test scoresJul 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.