Average
#485 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 47% in state
Bearden High School
High School · BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
P O BOX 176, Bearden, AR 71720
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
231
Student-Teacher
8.2:1
Score
6.4
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bearden
#1 of 2
public schools
Arkansas high schools
#165 of 277
In district
#1 of 2
BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT
School environment
9.0 / 10
Exceptional
About Bearden High School
Bearden High School is a regular public high school located in the remote rural area of Bearden, Arkansas. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has an enrollment of 231 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1 with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. Despite its small size and isolated location, Bearden High School focuses on providing personalized education to each student.
The MySchoolScout rating for the school is 4.9 out of 10, placing it in the 40th percentile among all schools in Arkansas. Academically, students perform with room for improvement; only 25% are proficient or above in ELA/Reading and 15% in Math. While these scores indicate areas where growth is needed, the school continues to support its students' development through individual attention and community resources.
Bearden High School sits in a rural setting that offers a close-knit community feel, with neighbors often working together to enhance educational opportunities for young people.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Bearden High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.2:1, Bearden High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Bearden High 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
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Bearden High School — Students at Bearden High School score 20% 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: 7.4/10.
How Bearden High School Compares
See how Bearden High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 22% (2019) to 12% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 27% (2019) to 27% (2022).
Location
P O BOX 176, Bearden, AR 71720
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bearden High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Camden), with a very similar rating. Another option is SMACKOVER HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 26.0 miles away, in nearby Smackover), with a very similar rating. Additionally, RISON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 29.3 miles away, in nearby Rison), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bearden, see our Bearden schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 32.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bearden | 0.1 mi | 4.2 |
| 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 | 16.1 mi | 5.2 |
| HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hampton | 16.2 mi | 6.7 |
| CAMDEN FAIRVIEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Camden | 15.9 mi | — |
| CAMDEN FAIRVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Camden | 16.1 mi | 6.0 |
| VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Camden | 16.1 mi | 5.5 |
| IVORY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Camden | 16.3 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 | 26.0 mi | 4.1 |
| SMACKOVER HIGH SCHOOL Smackover | 26.0 mi | 6.7 |
| NORPHLET MIDDLE SCHOOL Norphlet | 29.1 mi | 7.7 |
| MARANATHA BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Dorado | 30.0 mi | 6.4 |
| RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison | 29.3 mi | 7.8 |
| RISON HIGH SCHOOL Rison | 29.3 mi | 6.7 |
| HERMITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hermitage | 32.0 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 High 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 |
|---|---|
| HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Benton, AR | 6.4 |
| MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Mansfield, AR | 6.4 |
| SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Bee Branch, AR | 6.4 |
| ARMOREL HIGH SCHOOL Armorel, AR | 6.5 |
| AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL Augusta, AR | 6.5 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL Bay, AR | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bearden High School
What grades does Bearden High School serve?
Bearden High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Bearden High School?
Bearden High School has an enrollment of approximately 231 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bearden High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bearden High School is 8.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bearden High School rank in AR?
Bearden High School is ranked #485 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Bearden High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bearden High School has a composite rating of 6.4 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 High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bearden High School has 15.3% math proficiency and 25.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bearden High School a charter school?
No, Bearden High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bearden High School a Title I school?
No, Bearden High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bearden High School?
98.7% of students at Bearden High 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
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 231
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Remote Rural
- County
- Ouachita County
- Phone
- (870) 687-2913
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 458
- Schools in District
- 2
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,611
- District Rank
- #1 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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