Very Good
#324 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 31% in state
Amanda Gist Elementary School
Elementary School · COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
P O BOX 70, Cotter, AR 72626
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
353
Student-Teacher
11.8:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#324 of 1,036
In Cotter
#1 of 2
public schools
In district
#1 of 2
COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
9.9 / 10
Excellent
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Amanda Gist Elementary School
Elementary School in Cotter · grades Kindergarten – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cotter High School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Flippin Elementary School
4.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Amanda Gist Elementary School
Amanda Gist Elementary School is a public elementary school in Cotter, AR, part of COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT. Amanda Gist Elementary School serves approximately 353 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-6th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Amanda Gist Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #324 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Amanda Gist Elementary School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
Amanda Gist Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Amanda Gist Elementary School — Students at Amanda Gist Elementary School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
110.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 40 test records from AR state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.6/10.
How Amanda Gist Elementary School Compares
See how Amanda Gist Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
P O BOX 70, Cotter, AR 72626
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Amanda Gist Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. GAINESVILLE ELEM. (rated 8.8/10, 23.7 miles away, in nearby Gainesville), which scores notably higher. Another option is YELLVILLE-SUMMIT ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 9.9 miles away, in nearby Yellville), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NELSON WILKS HERRON ELEMENTARY (rated 7.2/10, 9.1 miles away, in nearby Mountain Home), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Cotter, see our Cotter schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 23.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COTTER HIGH SCHOOL Cotter | 0.1 mi | 6.2 |
| FLIPPIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Flippin | 4.4 mi | 6.6 |
| FLIPPIN HIGH SCHOOL Flippin | 4.5 mi | 5.9 |
| FLIPPIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Flippin | 4.5 mi | 7.7 |
| HACKLER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Mountain Home | 7.7 mi | 6.6 |
| MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES Mountain Home | 7.7 mi | 6.8 |
| GUY BERRY COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY Mountain Home | 8.3 mi | — |
| PINKSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain Home | 8.4 mi | 7.4 |
| MOUNTAIN HOME KINDERGARTEN Mountain Home | 8.5 mi | 5.1 |
| NELSON WILKS HERRON ELEMENTARY Mountain Home | 9.1 mi | 7.2 |
| YELLVILLE-SUMMIT MIDDLE SCHOOL Yellville | 9.8 mi | 7.9 |
| YELLVILLE-SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL Yellville | 9.8 mi | 5.6 |
| YELLVILLE-SUMMIT ELEM. SCHOOL Yellville | 9.9 mi | 7.8 |
| NORFORK HIGH SCHOOL Norfork | 15.1 mi | 6.3 |
| NORFORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfork | 15.1 mi | 6.7 |
| LUTIE ELEM. Theodosia | 22.6 mi | 5.7 |
| LUTIE HIGH Theodosia | 22.6 mi | 7.1 |
| GAINESVILLE ELEM. Gainesville | 23.7 mi | 8.8 |
| GAINESVILLE HIGH Gainesville | 23.9 mi | 6.7 |
| GAINESVILLE PRESCHOOL Gainesville | 23.9 mi | 3.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,618
Median Home Value
$170,800
Median Rent
$657/mo
Population
1,360
College Educated
12.9%
Homeownership
80.6%
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
63.2
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BISMARCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck, AR | 7.2 |
| CAVANAUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 7.2 |
| DECATUR NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Decatur, AR | 7.2 |
| ELMER H. COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR | 7.2 |
| PERRIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR | 7.2 |
| SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem, AR | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Amanda Gist Elementary School
What grades does Amanda Gist Elementary School serve?
Amanda Gist Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Amanda Gist Elementary School?
Amanda Gist Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 353 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Amanda Gist Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Amanda Gist Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Amanda Gist Elementary School rank in AR?
Amanda Gist Elementary School ranks #324 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Amanda Gist Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Amanda Gist Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Amanda Gist Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Amanda Gist Elementary School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 57% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a charter school?
No, Amanda Gist Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Amanda Gist Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Amanda Gist Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Amanda Gist Elementary School?
110.8% of students at Amanda Gist Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 353
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 110.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Baxter County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 22.4%
- Phone
- (870) 435-6655
Resources & Links
District
COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 677
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,023
- District Rank
- #1 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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