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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

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 metrics
Student Progress4.7Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.8 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.2Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)40%
vs. Expected+14.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.4Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio4.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,762

Bismarck High School — Students at Bismarck High School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 50.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 60.3%
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
57%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
42%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
52%
ELA
57%

* 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.

Overall Score
6.5/10
55th percentile in AR
Academic
9.2/10
9.2/10
Growth
4.7/10
Below average
Environment
8.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
69 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
BISMARCK MIDDLE SCHOOL Bismarck 0.2 mi 5.8
BISMARCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck 0.3 mi 4.7
LAKE HAMILTON JR. HIGH SCHOOL Pearcy 9.0 mi 8.2
LAKE HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL Pearcy 9.0 mi 7.0
LAKE HAMILTON ELEMENTARY SCH Pearcy 9.1 mi 5.0
LAKE HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL Pearcy 9.1 mi 4.4
LAKE HAMILTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Pearcy 9.3 mi 4.0
LAKE HAMILTON INTERM. SCHOOL Pearcy 9.3 mi 6.8
HOT SPRINGS ADVENTIST SCHOOL Hot Springs 12.3 mi
HOT SPRINGS WORLD CLASS HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs 12.8 mi 7.2
MAIN STREET VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS MAGNET SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.3 mi 3.8
HOT SPRINGS JUNIOR ACADEMY Hot Springs 13.3 mi 6.2
PARK MAGNET AN IB PYP WORLD CLASS SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.5 mi 5.5
OAKLAWN STEM MAGNET SCHOOL Hot Springs 13.4 mi 3.4
ARKADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL Arkadelphia 14.0 mi 6.8
GOZA MIDDLE SCHOOL Arkadelphia 14.1 mi 5.6
EWING ADVENTIST JUNIOR ACADEMY Bonnerdale 12.8 mi
ST JOHNS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Hot Springs 14.7 mi 8.3
PEAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arkadelphia 14.9 mi 5.9
LOUISA PERRITT PRIMARY Arkadelphia 15.2 mi 5.5

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BISMARCK SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
999
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,540
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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