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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

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 metrics
Student Progress7.4Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency12%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency20%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected-7.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness6.0Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation12.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,585

Bearden High School — Students at Bearden High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 15.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
27%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.4/10
53th percentile in AR
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
7.4/10
Above average
Environment
9.0/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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