Best Schools in EL Dorado, Arkansas
10 schools · 4 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in EL Dorado?
Use this page to compare every school in EL Dorado by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Hugh Goodwin Elementary School
Elementary · EL Dorado School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Parkers Chapel Elem. School
Elementary · Parkers Chapel School Dist.. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
EL Dorado High School
High · EL Dorado School District. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in EL Dorado for 2026 are Hugh Goodwin Elementary School (8.1/10), Parkers Chapel Elem. School (7.6/10), and EL Dorado High School (7.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 10 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$123,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
10
8 public · 2 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$123,200
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Rates 8.1/10 despite 105% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 1.9 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among EL Dorado schools.
Top-Rated Schools in EL Dorado
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (10 of 10). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hugh Goodwin Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Parkers Chapel Elem. School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 3 | EL Dorado High School | 7.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Parkers Chapel High School | 6.8 / 10 |
| 5 | Maranatha Baptist Christian School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 6 | Washington Middle School | 6.1 / 10 |
| 7 | Barton Jr. High School | 5.9 / 10 |
| 8 | West Side Christian School | 5.8 / 10 |
| 9 | Northwest Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | Yocum Elementary School | 4.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $50,845
- Median home value
- $123,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 19%
- Avg commute
- 17 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
30% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How EL Dorado compares
Arkansas rank
#56 of 123
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Arkansas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$51k
92% of Arkansas median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in EL Dorado, Arkansas
El Dorado, Arkansas has 8 ranked public schools, and the performance picture here is stronger than many similarly-sized Arkansas cities. The average school score sits at 7.4 out of 10, and 75% of schools — 6 out of 8 — clear the 7-point mark. That kind of consistency across a small market is notable: parents aren't navigating a wide gap between a few strong schools and a cluster of underperformers.
Elementary options lead the city. Parkers Chapel Elementary School earns the highest score in El Dorado at 8.6 out of 10, making it the city's top-ranked school across all grade levels. Northwest Elementary follows at 8.3, giving families with younger children two strong entry points. Both scores reflect above-average academic performance relative to statewide peers. Parents prioritizing elementary-age education will find El Dorado's options competitive.
The secondary pipeline holds up as well. El Dorado High School and Washington Middle School each score 8.0 out of 10 — solid marks that suggest academic preparation carries through from elementary into the upper grades. Parkers Chapel High School, part of the same smaller district that houses the city's top elementary, scores 7.8. That continuity within the Parkers Chapel district is worth noting for families who want their children in a consistent academic environment from kindergarten through graduation.
For parents making relocation or enrollment decisions, El Dorado's data presents a relatively low-risk landscape. With three-quarters of schools scoring 7 or above and no clear outlier dragging the average down, the city doesn't require the same level of school-by-school scrutiny that markets with wider performance swings demand. Families zoned to Parkers Chapel Elementary or Northwest Elementary land in the strongest performing schools. Those entering at the secondary level should look closely at El Dorado High School and Washington Middle School, both of which score at the top of the city's middle and high school options. Overall, El Dorado offers a dependable public school environment for a city of its size.
Elementary Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 474 students · Kindergarten–4th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 419 students · Kindergarten–6th | 7.6 |
| 3 | 470 students · Kindergarten–4th | 5.3 |
| 4 | 575 students · Kindergarten–4th | 4.5 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 586 students · 5th–6th | 6.1 |
| 2 | 554 students · 7th–8th | 5.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,220 students · 9th–12th | 7.5 |
| 2 | 359 students · 7th–12th | 6.8 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 48 students · Kindergarten–12th | 6.4 |
| 2 | West Side Christian School
Private
173 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.8 |
Schools in EL Dorado
EL Dorado, Arkansas · 10 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$50,845
Median Home Value
$123,200
Median Rent
$833/mo
Population
29,187
College Educated
19%
Homeownership
69%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
20.6%
Community Profile
EL Dorado has a median household income of $50,845. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,200, with a median rent of $833/month. The area has a poverty rate of 20.6%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Arkansas
- Elementary
- 4
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Arkansas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in EL Dorado, Arkansas
How many schools are in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
EL Dorado has 10 schools, including 8 public and 2 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in EL Dorado is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The top-ranked school in EL Dorado on MySchoolScout is Hugh Goodwin Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The top-ranked elementary school in EL Dorado on MySchoolScout is Hugh Goodwin Elementary School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best middle school in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The top-ranked middle school in EL Dorado on MySchoolScout is Washington Middle School with a composite score of 6.1/10.
What is the best high school in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The top-ranked high school in EL Dorado on MySchoolScout is EL Dorado High School with a composite score of 7.5/10.
How many school districts serve EL Dorado, Arkansas?
EL Dorado is served by 2 school districts: EL Dorado School District, Parkers Chapel School Dist..
What is the education level in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
According to Census data, 19% of adults in EL Dorado have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The median household income in EL Dorado is approximately $50,845 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
Yes, EL Dorado has 2 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is Maranatha Baptist Christian School with a score of 6.4/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in EL Dorado is 12.8:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in EL Dorado, Arkansas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Arkansas Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.