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Average

#647 of 1,036 schools in AR

Bearden High School

High School · BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 176, Bearden, AR 71720

Enrollment

231

Student-Teacher

8.2:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#647 of 1,036

In Bearden

#2 of 2

public schools

In district

#2 of 2

BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.0 / 10

Excellent

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Bearden High School

5.8/10

High School in Bearden · grades 7th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Bearden Elementary School

6.1/10

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

Harmony Grove Elem. School

8.2/10

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

About Bearden High School

Bearden High School is a public high school in Bearden, AR, part of BEARDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT. Bearden High School serves approximately 231 students, and covers grades 7th-12th, and has a 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Bearden High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 out of 10 and ranks #647 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Bearden High School show 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts below AR schools
  • This school 5.8 · Average
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 8.2:1 students to teachers, Bearden High School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Bearden High School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.4Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-3.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency9.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.6% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-30.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-9.3 pts
Overall Proficiency17% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-7.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness6.3Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
AP Participation12.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.0Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio8.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,611
Chronic Absenteeism23.4%

Bearden High School — Students at Bearden High School score 17% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 28.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
30.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 36.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.9% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 39 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
62%
ELA
57%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
70%
ELA
72%
2012
Math
67%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2014
Math
7.5%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2016
Math
22%
ELA
47%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
27%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
22%
2022
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
9.9%
ELA
23.6%

* 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: 4.4/10.

How Bearden High School Compares

See how Bearden High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
38th percentile in AR
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
4.4/10
Below Average
Environment
9.0/10
Excellent
Sports
7
4 boys' · 3 girls'
Advanced STEM
2/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
99%
Teaching Staff
8:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
23.4%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics7sports offered
4 boys'·3 girls'·14 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses2 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

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. RISON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 29.3 miles away, in nearby Rison), which scores slightly higher. Another option is HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.2/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Camden), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, FORDYCE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 12.4 miles away, in nearby Fordyce), 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 6.1
HARMONY GROVE ELEM. SCHOOL Camden 10.6 mi 8.2
HARMONY GROVE HIGH SCHOOL Camden 10.6 mi 6.2
FORDYCE HIGH SCHOOL Fordyce 12.4 mi 6.1
FORDYCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Fordyce 12.5 mi 5.9
HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton 16.1 mi 5.7
HAMPTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hampton 16.2 mi 5.5
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Camden 15.9 mi
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Camden 16.1 mi 4.0
VICTORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Camden 16.1 mi 5.5
IVORY INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Camden 16.3 mi 4.3
CAMDEN FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Camden 18.2 mi 5.4
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Camden 18.7 mi 3.7
SMACKOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Smackover 26.0 mi 7.2
SMACKOVER HIGH SCHOOL Smackover 26.0 mi 5.4
NORPHLET MIDDLE SCHOOL Norphlet 29.1 mi 7.9
MARANATHA BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL El Dorado 30.0 mi 6.4
RISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rison 29.3 mi 7.6
RISON HIGH SCHOOL Rison 29.3 mi 6.7
HERMITAGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hermitage 32.0 mi 6.2

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
GURDON HIGH SCHOOL Gurdon, AR 5.8
CORNING HIGH SCHOOL Corning, AR 5.7
DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL Decatur, AR 5.7
EARLE HIGH SCHOOL Earle, AR 5.7
HAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL Hampton, AR 5.7
MANSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Mansfield, AR 5.7

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 ranks #647 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Bearden High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bearden High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.8 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 Bearden High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bearden High School has 28% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

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

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
35 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
23.4%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

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

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