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Excellent

#79 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 8% in state

Cherokee Elementary School

Elementary School · HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 419, Hardy, AR 72542

Enrollment

547

Student-Teacher

13.7:1

Score

8.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 4th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#79 of 1,036

In Hardy

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Equity

9.9 / 10

Excellent

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Cherokee Elementary School

8.4/10

Elementary School in Hardy · grades Kindergarten – 4th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Highland Middle School

7.5/10

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

Highland High School

6.2/10

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

About Cherokee Elementary School

Cherokee Elementary School is a public elementary school in Hardy, AR, part of HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT. Cherokee Elementary School serves approximately 547 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-4th, and has a 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Cherokee Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10 and ranks #79 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Cherokee Elementary School show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares2.2 pts above AR schools
  • This school 8.4 · Excellent
  • AR avg 6.2

What Parents Should Know

Cherokee Elementary 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.8Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.65 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.4Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency52.7% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+12.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+11.9 pts
Overall Proficiency50% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)19% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+30.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile91th
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,860
Chronic Absenteeism15.2%

Cherokee Elementary School — Students at Cherokee Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 19%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

111.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 66.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
41.5% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 55.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
37.7% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 34 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
88%
ELA
78%
2010
Math
92%
ELA
87%
2011
Math
92%
ELA
84%
2012
Math
90%
ELA
85%
2013
Math
84%
ELA
79%
2014
Math
29%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
59%
ELA
40%
2016
Math
57%
ELA
45%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
47%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
58%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
58%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
60%
ELA
47%
2025
Math
52.7%
ELA
47.9%

* 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: 7.8/10.

How Cherokee Elementary School Compares

See how Cherokee Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.4/10
93th percentile in AR
Academic
9.4/10
Excellent
Growth
7.8/10
Very Good
Environment
8.2/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
112%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
40 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

Programs & Offerings

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 419, Hardy, AR 72542

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cherokee Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MELBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 21.1 miles away, in nearby Melbourne), which scores slightly higher. Another option is IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 18.2 miles away, in nearby Brockwell), with a very similar rating. Additionally, KOSHKONONG ELEM. (rated 7.5/10, 24.1 miles away, in nearby Koshkonong), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Hardy, see our Hardy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.2 mi
School Distance Rating
HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Hardy 0.4 mi 7.5
HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL Hardy 0.6 mi 6.2
MAMMOTH SPRING ELEM. SCHOOL Mammoth Spring 15.8 mi 7.1
MAMMOTH SPRING HIGH SCHOOL Mammoth Spring 15.8 mi 7.7
THAYER ELEM. Thayer 18.1 mi 4.7
THAYER SR. HIGH Thayer 18.1 mi 5.4
SALEM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Salem 16.6 mi 7.2
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL Salem 16.7 mi 7.1
CAVE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cave City 21.4 mi 7.0
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City 21.5 mi 8.9
CAVE CITY HIGH CAREER & COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY SCHOOL Cave City 21.6 mi 7.9
IZARD CO. CONS. ELEM. SCHOOL Brockwell 18.2 mi 8.3
MELBOURNE HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne 21.1 mi 6.7
MELBOURNE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Melbourne 21.1 mi 9.1
KOSHKONONG ELEM. Koshkonong 24.1 mi 7.5
KOSHKONONG HIGH Koshkonong 24.1 mi 4.9
SLOAN-HENDRIX ELEM. SCHOOL Imboden 20.2 mi 6.0
SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden 20.2 mi 5.5
COUCH ELEM. Myrtle 23.2 mi 6.2
COUCH HIGH Myrtle 23.2 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72542 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,724

Median Home Value

$90,500

Median Rent

$519/mo

Population

3,829

College Educated

9.9%

Homeownership

85%

Poverty Rate

12.7%

Median Age

45.7

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY Rogers, AR 8.4
JIM D ROLLINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF INNOVATION Springdale, AR 8.4
LISA ACADEMY ROGERS-BENTONVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rogers, AR 8.4
APPLE GLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bentonville, AR 8.3
BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leachville, AR 8.5
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Forrest City, AR 8.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cherokee Elementary School

What grades does Cherokee Elementary School serve?

Cherokee Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.

How many students attend Cherokee Elementary School?

Cherokee Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 547 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cherokee Elementary School is 13.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cherokee Elementary School rank in AR?

Cherokee Elementary School ranks #79 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Cherokee Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cherokee Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 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 Cherokee Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Cherokee Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 55% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Cherokee Elementary School a charter school?

No, Cherokee Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Cherokee Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Cherokee Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cherokee Elementary School?

111.7% of students at Cherokee 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
24 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
547
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
40
Free/Reduced Lunch
111.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Sharp County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
15.2%

District

HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,513
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,860
District Rank
#1 of 3

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