Summary:
Zip code 72923, serving the Barling, Arkansas area, is home to a single elementary school, Barling Elementary School, which serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade with 316 students and is part of the Fort Smith School District.
Barling Elementary School stands out as a high-performing institution, consistently outperforming its district in every tested subject. In the 2025-2026 school year, the school achieved above-state-average proficiency in Math (54.5%), Reading (46.2%), and English Language Arts (44.1%), while Science proficiency (43.5%) was slightly below the state average of 44.0%. Mathematics is a clear strength, with 5th graders reaching an impressive 63.1% proficiency. The school has shown a strong upward trajectory in state rankings, jumping from the 46th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 61st percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 3-star rating in the last two years. This is particularly notable given that 78.16% of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch, indicating significant economic need. The school spends $11,916 per student and has a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1.
While the school excels overall, there are areas for attention. Science is the only subject where the school falls below the state average, and performance varies by grade level—for example, 4th graders excelled in Science (61.3% proficiency) while 3rd graders struggled (32% proficiency). The school’s ranking saw a slight dip from the 64th percentile in 2024-2025 to the 61st percentile in 2025-2026, suggesting a need to maintain its positive momentum. For parents, Barling Elementary School offers a strong academic foundation, particularly in math, and demonstrates that high achievement is possible even in a high-need community.
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