Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 72901

This analysis covers five elementary schools in zip code 72901 (Fort Smith, AR), all part of the Fort Smith School District, serving grades PK through 5 in an area where economic disadvantage is a significant factor, with all schools reporting Free/Reduced Lunch rates above 67%.

Ballman Elementary School stands out as the top academic performer, consistently exceeding district and state averages in Mathematics and Science, and it achieves this with the lowest Free/Reduced Lunch rate (67.13%) in the area. In contrast, Tilles Elementary School is the most challenged, ranking in the bottom 10% of Arkansas elementary schools with a 0-star rating and proficiency rates roughly half of the next lowest school. Fairview Elementary School, the largest school with 582 students, serves as a stable middle ground with test scores consistently near the district average and a moderate Free/Reduced Lunch rate of 80.58%. Howard Elementary School and Carnall Elementary School both struggle academically, with Howard having the highest Free/Reduced Lunch rate (92.31%) and Carnall spending the most per student ($17,679) yet still ranking in the 40th percentile.

A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee success, as Carnall spends $3,990 more per student than Ballman but performs significantly worse. Another notable insight is the "Carnall Paradox," where its 4th-grade class is exceptionally high-performing—scoring 75% proficient in Mathematics compared to the district's 41.6%—while its 3rd and 5th-grade scores are well below average, suggesting a unique cohort or targeted intervention. Overall, the data reveals a stark correlation between poverty levels and academic performance, with schools having higher Free/Reduced Lunch rates generally showing lower proficiency, highlighting the challenges faced by the community.