Average
#463 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 45% in state
Bismarck High School
High School · BISMARCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
11636 HWY 84, Bismarck, AR 71929
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
318
Student-Teacher
4.6:1
Score
6.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bismarck
#1 of 3
public schools
Arkansas high schools
#154 of 277
In district
#1 of 3
BISMARCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.2 / 10
Exceptional
About Bismarck High School
Bismarck High School serves 318 students in grades 9-12 in rural Hot Spring County, Arkansas, and stands out as one of the state's top-performing high schools. With an impressive MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranking 19th among Arkansas's 1,044 schools, this public high school places in the 98th percentile statewide. The school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1 with 69 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention that appears to contribute to strong academic outcomes.
Students demonstrate solid proficiency rates, with 57% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and 52% in mathematics across grade levels. Located at 11636 Highway 84, Bismarck High School serves a working-class rural community where the median household income is $47,905 and median home values average $179,300. While only 12% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees, the school's academic excellence suggests it's effectively preparing students for post-secondary success despite economic challenges, with a local poverty rate of 17.5%.
This small but mighty high school operates in Arkansas's rural countryside, providing quality education in a close-knit community setting where students can receive individual attention while achieving academic excellence that rivals much larger districts across the state.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 4.6:1, Bismarck 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, Bismarck 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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Bismarck High School — Students at Bismarck High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
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: 4.7/10.
How Bismarck High School Compares
See how Bismarck High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 72% (2019) to 57% (2022).
Location
11636 HWY 84, Bismarck, AR 71929
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bismarck High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 12.8 miles away, in nearby Hot Springs), which scores slightly higher. Another option is LAKE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Pearcy), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ARKADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Arkadelphia), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bismarck, see our Bismarck schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 15.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71929 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$54,485
Median Home Value
$196,100
Median Rent
$857/mo
Population
4,673
College Educated
11.7%
Homeownership
86.6%
Avg Commute
37.9 min
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Median Age
46.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bismarck High School has a median household income of $54,485. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $196,100, with a median rent of $857/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.9%. The average commute in the area is 38 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ARMOREL HIGH SCHOOL Armorel, AR | 6.5 |
| BAY HIGH SCHOOL Bay, AR | 6.5 |
| BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Monette, AR | 6.5 |
| CHARLESTON HIGH SCHOOL Charleston, AR | 6.5 |
| DIERKS HIGH SCHOOL Dierks, AR | 6.5 |
| FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith, AR | 6.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bismarck High School
What grades does Bismarck High School serve?
Bismarck High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Bismarck High School?
Bismarck High School has an enrollment of approximately 318 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bismarck High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Bismarck High School is 4.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bismarck High School rank in AR?
Bismarck High School is ranked #463 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Bismarck High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Bismarck High School has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Bismarck High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bismarck High School has 50.3% math proficiency and 60.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bismarck High School a charter school?
No, Bismarck High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bismarck High School a Title I school?
No, Bismarck High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bismarck High School?
66.0% of students at Bismarck 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 318
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 4.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 69
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Hot Spring County
- Phone
- (501) 865-4888
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BISMARCK SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 999
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,540
- District Rank
- #1 of 3
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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