Very Good
#282 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 27% in state
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
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
284
Student-Teacher
17.8:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#282 of 1,036
In Fort Smith
#3 of 26
public schools
In district
#3 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
8.7 / 10
Excellent
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Ballman Elementary School
Elementary School in Fort Smith · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Christ the King Catholic School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Northside High School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ballman Elementary School
Ballman Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Ballman Elementary School serves approximately 284 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Ballman Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #282 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Ballman Elementary School show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.4 · Very Good
- District avg 5.8
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
33% of students at Ballman Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ballman Elementary School — Students at Ballman Elementary School score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
69%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 8.6/10.
How Ballman Elementary School Compares
See how Ballman 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
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. THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH (rated 7.4/10, 1.6 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 | 6.7 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 0.7 mi | — |
| BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith | 0.8 mi | 5.1 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.0 mi | 6.0 |
| RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.1 mi | 6.4 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.3 mi | 6.7 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.3 mi | 3.9 |
| WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | 6.9 |
| TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 1.9 mi | 6.6 |
| RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.1 mi | 6.4 |
| ARKOMA MS Arkoma | 1.8 mi | 4.0 |
| ARKOMA HS Arkoma | 1.8 mi | 6.4 |
| BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.8 mi | 7.1 |
| CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.3 mi | 3.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| HARRISON KINDERGARTEN Harrison, AR | 7.4 |
| JASPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jasper, AR | 7.4 |
| JULIA LEE MOORE ELEM. SCHOOL Conway, AR | 7.4 |
| VALLEY SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Valley Springs, AR | 7.4 |
| ANNE WATSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bigelow, AR | 7.5 |
| WESTBROOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Benton, AR | 7.5 |
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 ranks #282 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Ballman Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ballman Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Ballman Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ballman Elementary School has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 32.7%
- Phone
- (479) 783-1280
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #3 of 26
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