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Average

#719 of 1,035 schools in AR

Ballman Elementary School

Elementary School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

2601 SOUTH Q ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Enrollment

284

Student-Teacher

17.8:1

Score

5.5

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Smith

#17 of 26

public schools

Arkansas elementary schools

#290 of 509

In district

#17 of 26

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

7.8 / 10

Very strong

About Ballman Elementary School

Ballman Elementary School is a regular public school in Fort Smith, Arkansas, nestled in the heart of Sebastian County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 284 students. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.8:1, Ballman offers personalized attention to ensure each child's educational needs are met.

The dedicated staff includes 16 full-time equivalent teachers committed to fostering academic growth and development. According to MySchoolScout’s data, Ballman Elementary School has an overall rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks as the 395th best school in Arkansas, placing it around the 62nd percentile among the state's elementary schools. The school’s academic score is 7.0/10, with 47% of students proficient or above in English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading, and 45% proficient or above in Math.

While there is room for improvement in test scores, Ballman Elementary focuses on supporting student development through a variety of educational programs and extracurricular activities. The school’s setting within Fort Smith provides students with access to community resources and opportunities that enhance their learning experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.8Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.8Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency45%
Expected (poverty-adj.)39%
vs. Expected+5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile67th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,206

Ballman Elementary School — Students at Ballman Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 39%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 45.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
37%
ELA
42%
2022
Math
42%
ELA
47%

* 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: 4.8/10.

How Ballman Elementary School Compares

See how Ballman Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.5/10
31th percentile in AR
Academic
7.8/10
7.8/10
Growth
4.8/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
69%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

2601 SOUTH Q ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ballman Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.3 mi
School Distance Rating
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.1 mi 6.3
NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.8 mi 6.6
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 0.7 mi
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith 0.8 mi 6.7
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.0 mi 3.4
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.1 mi 7.1
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.3 mi 6.7
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.3 mi 2.4
WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.5 mi 5.4
TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.5 mi 2.9
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.3 mi 6.7
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 1.6 mi 7.4
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.6 mi 7.6
FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 1.9 mi 6.5
RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.0 mi 4.5
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.1 mi 3.0
ARKOMA MS Arkoma 1.8 mi 4.2
ARKOMA HS Arkoma 1.8 mi 7.7
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.8 mi 8.3
CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.3 mi 3.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,568

Median Home Value

$113,200

Median Rent

$837/mo

Population

19,966

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

44.7%

Avg Commute

16.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ballman Elementary School has a median household income of $42,568. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,200, with a median rent of $837/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, 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.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mena, AR 5.5
C.B. PARTEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brinkley, AR 5.5
JUNCTION CITY ELEM. SCHOOL Junction City, AR 5.5
MARKED TREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marked Tree, AR 5.5
CATO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Little Rock, AR 5.6
LAFAYETTE COUNTY ELEMENTARY Lewisville, AR 5.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ballman Elementary School

What grades does Ballman Elementary School serve?

Ballman Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Ballman Elementary School?

Ballman Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 284 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ballman Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Ballman Elementary School is 17.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ballman Elementary School rank in AR?

Ballman Elementary School is ranked #719 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Ballman Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Ballman Elementary School has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Ballman Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ballman Elementary School has 45.3% math proficiency and 47.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Ballman Elementary School a charter school?

No, Ballman Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ballman Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Ballman Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ballman Elementary School?

69.0% of students at Ballman 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,538/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Smith). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Sebastian County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
14,060
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,459
District Rank
#17 of 26

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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