Below Average
#945 of 1,035 schools in AR
Bearden Elementary School
Elementary School · BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
P O BOX 195, Bearden, AR 71720
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
227
Student-Teacher
13.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bearden
#2 of 2
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#430 of 509
In district
#2 of 2
BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
7.7 / 10
Very strong
About Bearden Elementary School
Bearden Elementary School is a regular public elementary school located in the remote rural area of Bearden, Arkansas. The school serves students from kindergarten through sixth grade with an enrollment of 227 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 13.4:1, ensuring each child receives individual attention. With 17 full-time equivalent teachers, the academic environment is supportive and nurturing.
According to MySchoolScout's rating system, Bearden Elementary School has received a score of 3.9 out of 10 overall, ranking it at #859 among 1044 schools in Arkansas. In terms of test performance, 25% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 35% in Math. While these scores suggest areas for improvement, the school is committed to focusing on student development and providing a strong educational foundation.
Bearden Elementary School's setting in a remote rural area offers its students a close-knit community feel with plenty of opportunities to explore nature and engage in local traditions.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Bearden Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Bearden Elementary School — Students at Bearden Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 2.4/10.
How Bearden Elementary School Compares
See how Bearden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 27% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 22% (2022).
Location
P O BOX 195, Bearden, AR 71720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bearden Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HARMONY GROVE ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores notably higher. Another option is HERMITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 31.9 miles away, in nearby Hermitage), which scores notably higher. Additionally, RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 29.4 miles away, in nearby Rison), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bearden, see our Bearden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 31.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEARDEN HIGH SCHOOL Bearden | 0.1 mi | 6.4 |
| HARMONY GROVE ELEM. SCHOOL Camden | 10.6 mi | 8.2 |
| HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Camden | 10.6 mi | 6.7 |
| FORDYCE HIGH SCHOOL Fordyce | 12.4 mi | 6.3 |
| FORDYCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Fordyce | 12.5 mi | 7.5 |
| HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton | 16.0 mi | 5.2 |
| HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hampton | 16.1 mi | 6.7 |
| CAMDEN FAIRVIEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Camden | 15.8 mi | — |
| CAMDEN FAIRVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Camden | 16.1 mi | 6.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Camden | 16.1 mi | 5.5 |
| IVORY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Camden | 16.2 mi | 4.4 |
| CAMDEN FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Camden | 18.2 mi | 6.6 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camden | 18.7 mi | 6.0 |
| SMACKOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Smackover | 25.8 mi | 4.1 |
| SMACKOVER HIGH SCHOOL Smackover | 25.9 mi | 6.7 |
| NORPHLET MIDDLE SCHOOL Norphlet | 29.0 mi | 7.7 |
| MARANATHA BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Dorado | 29.9 mi | 6.4 |
| RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison | 29.4 mi | 7.8 |
| RISON HIGH SCHOOL Rison | 29.4 mi | 6.7 |
| HERMITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hermitage | 31.9 mi | 8.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71720 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$52,500
Median Home Value
$95,000
Median Rent
$728/mo
Population
2,306
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
74.8%
Poverty Rate
19.4%
Median Age
49.1
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bearden Elementary School has a median household income of $52,500. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $95,000, with a median rent of $728/month. The area has a poverty rate of 19.4%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| MARVELL-ELAINE ELEMENTARY SCH Marvell, AR | 4.2 |
| MINERAL SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Mineral Springs, AR | 4.2 |
| EDGEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pine Bluff, AR | 4.3 |
| FRIENDSHIP ASPIRE ACADEMY DOWNTOWN PINE BLUFF Pine Bluff, AR | 4.3 |
| LONDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL London, AR | 4.3 |
| SHIRLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shirley, AR | 4.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bearden Elementary School
What grades does Bearden Elementary School serve?
Bearden Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.
How many students attend Bearden Elementary School?
Bearden Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 227 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bearden Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bearden Elementary School is 13.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bearden Elementary School rank in AR?
Bearden Elementary School is ranked #945 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Bearden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bearden Elementary School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Bearden Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bearden Elementary School has 35.3% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bearden Elementary School a charter school?
No, Bearden Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bearden Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Bearden Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bearden Elementary School?
98.7% of students at Bearden 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
- County Safety
- Elevated (739/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 6th
- Enrollment
- 227
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ouachita County
- Phone
- (870) 687-2237
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 458
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,611
- District Rank
- #2 of 2
Other Schools in This District
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.
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