Very Good
#329 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 32% in state
Cavanaugh Elementary School
Elementary School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
1025 SCHOOL ST, Fort Smith, AR 72908
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
298
Student-Teacher
16.6:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#329 of 1,036
In Fort Smith
#4 of 26
public schools
In district
#5 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Equity
9.6 / 10
Excellent
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Cavanaugh Elementary School
Elementary School in Fort Smith · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Beard Elementary School
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Harvest Time Academy
1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Cavanaugh Elementary School
Cavanaugh Elementary School is a public elementary school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Cavanaugh Elementary School serves approximately 298 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.6:1 student-teacher ratio. Cavanaugh Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #329 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for Cavanaugh Elementary School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 5.8
- AR avg 6.2
What Parents Should Know
35% of students at Cavanaugh Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Cavanaugh Elementary School — Students at Cavanaugh Elementary School score 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 7.5/10.
How Cavanaugh Elementary School Compares
See how Cavanaugh Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1025 SCHOOL ST, Fort Smith, AR 72908
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Cavanaugh Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SINGLETON ES (rated 8.6/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Arkoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARVEST TIME ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH (rated 7.4/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BEARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.4 mi | 6.6 |
| HARVEST TIME ACADEMY Fort Smith | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.9 mi | 3.5 |
| ELMER H. COOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| SINGLETON ES Arkoma | 2.7 mi | 8.6 |
| RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.5 mi | 5.5 |
| RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ARKOMA MS Arkoma | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| ARKOMA HS Arkoma | 3.1 mi | 6.4 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.0 mi | 6.0 |
| SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.3 mi | 6.7 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 6.3 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.0 mi | 7.4 |
| BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith | 4.3 mi | 5.1 |
| POCOLA HS Pocola | 4.3 mi | 8.1 |
| POCOLA ES Pocola | 4.4 mi | 4.1 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 4.5 mi | — |
| POCOLA MS Pocola | 4.4 mi | 8.2 |
| NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.7 mi | 6.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72908 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,697
Median Home Value
$181,600
Median Rent
$886/mo
Population
14,003
College Educated
30%
Homeownership
66.3%
Poverty Rate
9.7%
Median Age
42.6
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| AMANDA GIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cotter, AR | 7.2 |
| BISMARCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bismarck, AR | 7.2 |
| DECATUR NORTHSIDE ELEMENTARY Decatur, AR | 7.2 |
| SOUTHWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pinebluff, AR | 7.2 |
| BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barling, AR | 7.3 |
| MAGNESS CREEK ELEMENTARY Cabot, AR | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Cavanaugh Elementary School
What grades does Cavanaugh Elementary School serve?
Cavanaugh Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Cavanaugh Elementary School?
Cavanaugh Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 298 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Cavanaugh Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Cavanaugh Elementary School is 16.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Cavanaugh Elementary School rank in AR?
Cavanaugh Elementary School ranks #329 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is Cavanaugh Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Cavanaugh Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 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 Cavanaugh Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Cavanaugh Elementary School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 64% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
Is Cavanaugh Elementary School a charter school?
No, Cavanaugh Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Cavanaugh Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Cavanaugh Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cavanaugh Elementary School?
68.1% of students at Cavanaugh Elementary 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 298
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sebastian County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.9%
- Phone
- (479) 646-1131
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #5 of 26
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