Average
#486 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 47% in state
Beard Elementary School
Elementary School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
1600 CAVANAUGH RD, Fort Smith, AR 72908
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
287
Student-Teacher
15.1:1
Score
6.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#486 of 1,036
In Fort Smith
#12 of 26
public schools
In district
#12 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic growth
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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Beard Elementary School
Elementary School in Fort Smith · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cavanaugh Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harvest Time Academy
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Beard Elementary School
Beard Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Beard Elementary School serves approximately 287 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Beard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 out of 10 and ranks #486 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Beard Elementary School show 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 6.6 · Average
- District avg 5.8
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
34% of students at Beard 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
Beard Elementary School — Students at Beard Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.9%
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: 7.6/10.
How Beard Elementary School Compares
See how Beard 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
1600 CAVANAUGH RD, Fort Smith, AR 72908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Beard Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SINGLETON ES (rated 8.6/10, 2.8 miles away, in nearby Arkoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVEST TIME ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CAVANAUGH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.4 mi | 7.2 |
| HARVEST TIME ACADEMY Fort Smith | 1.0 mi | 7.9 |
| CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| ELMER H. COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.3 mi | 5.5 |
| RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.8 mi | 6.4 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.9 mi | 6.0 |
| SINGLETON ES Arkoma | 2.8 mi | 8.6 |
| ARKOMA MS Arkoma | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| ARKOMA HS Arkoma | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.0 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 7.4 |
| BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith | 4.2 mi | 5.1 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 4.4 mi | — |
| BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.1 mi | 7.1 |
| NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
| IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.9 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,697
Median Home Value
$181,600
Median Rent
$886/mo
Population
14,003
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
66.3%
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
42.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FLIPPIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Flippin, AR | 6.6 |
| LONOKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lonoke, AR | 6.5 |
| MAGAZINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Magazine, AR | 6.5 |
| MINERAL SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Mineral Springs, AR | 6.5 |
| ACORN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mena, AR | 6.7 |
| ALPENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alpena, AR | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Beard Elementary School
What grades does Beard Elementary School serve?
Beard Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Beard Elementary School?
Beard Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 287 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Beard Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Beard Elementary School is 15.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Beard Elementary School rank in AR?
Beard Elementary School ranks #486 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Beard Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Beard Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.6 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 Beard Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Beard Elementary School has 55% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Beard Elementary School a charter school?
No, Beard Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Beard Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Beard Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Beard Elementary School?
81.9% of students at Beard 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
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 287
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 19
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sebastian County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 33.8%
- Phone
- (479) 646-0834
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #12 of 26
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