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Very Good

#301 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 29% in state

Barling Elementary School

Elementary School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

1400 D ST, Barling, AR 72923

Enrollment

347

Student-Teacher

18.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#301 of 1,036

In district

#4 of 26

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

8.8 / 10

Excellent

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Barling Elementary School

7.3/10

Elementary School in Barling · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Fort Smith Virtual Academy

Nearby

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

John P. Woods Elementary School

7.8/10

2.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Barling Elementary School

Barling Elementary School is a public elementary school in Barling, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Barling Elementary School serves approximately 347 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 18.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Barling Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranks #301 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Barling Elementary School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.5 pts above district
  • This school 7.3 · Very Good
  • District avg 5.8
  • AR avg 6.2

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics8.6Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency40.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+4.5 pts
Overall Proficiency44% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile79th
Resources & Environment3.4Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,459
Chronic Absenteeism23.6%

Barling Elementary School — Students at Barling Elementary School score 44% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 60.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.1% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 50.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.3% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
67%
2010
Math
77%
ELA
70%
2011
Math
82%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
82%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
31%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
59%
ELA
50%
2016
Math
67%
ELA
59%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
44%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
37%
2025
Math
47.8%
ELA
40.5%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Barling Elementary School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in AR
Academic
8.6/10
Excellent
Growth
8.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1400 D ST, Barling, AR 72923

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barling Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HARVEST TIME ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 5.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Barling, see our Barling schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.7 mi
School Distance Rating
FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fort Smith 0.0 mi
JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.2 mi 7.8
L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.2 mi 8.8
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.5 mi 6.3
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.5 mi 6.8
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.5 mi 7.9
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.6 mi 6.8
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.1 mi 7.1
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.5 mi 6.7
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.1 mi 6.7
RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.8 mi 5.5
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.5 mi 3.9
ELMER H. COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.3 mi 7.2
HARVEST TIME ACADEMY Fort Smith 5.2 mi 7.9
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 5.5 mi
CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.4 mi 3.5
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.1 mi 5.9
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.0 mi 4.0
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.3 mi 3.8
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.7 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72923 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$52,210

Median Home Value

$125,600

Median Rent

$893/mo

Population

4,971

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

73.6%

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

44.6

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BERGMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bergman, AR 7.3
FOUNTAIN LAKE ELEMENTARY Hot Springs, AR 7.3
HURRICANE CREEK ELEMENTARY Bryant, AR 7.3
JOE MATHIAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR 7.3
MAGNESS CREEK ELEMENTARY Cabot, AR 7.3
R.E. BAKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville, AR 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barling Elementary School

What grades does Barling Elementary School serve?

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

How many students attend Barling Elementary School?

Barling Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 347 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Barling Elementary School is 18.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barling Elementary School rank in AR?

Barling Elementary School ranks #301 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Barling Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Barling Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 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 Barling Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Barling Elementary School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Barling Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Barling Elementary School a Title I school?

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

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

74.4% of students at Barling 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

Walk Score
22 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
347
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Sebastian County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.6%

District

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

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