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Average

#440 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 42% in state

Cotter High School

High School · COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 70, Cotter, AR 72626

Enrollment

324

Student-Teacher

5:1

Score

6.6

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Cotter

#2 of 2

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#139 of 277

In district

#2 of 2

COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

7.6 / 10

Very strong

About Cotter High School

Cotter High School is a regular public school in Cotter, Arkansas, serving students from seventh grade through twelfth grade. With an enrollment of 324 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides a relatively intimate learning environment with plenty of individual attention for each student. The teaching staff consists of 65 full-time equivalent teachers who are committed to supporting their students' academic growth.

Cotter High School's performance as measured by MySchoolScout is rated at 5.1 out of 10, placing it in the 44th percentile among Arkansas schools based on its state ranking of #591 out of 1044. In terms of specific subject proficiency rates, 43% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 32% meet these standards in Math. The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Cotter, offering a close-knit community atmosphere that fosters strong relationships between teachers and students.

Cotter High School focuses on supporting its diverse student body as they navigate their academic journey with room for growth and development.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Cotter 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, Cotter 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 Progress7.6Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.76 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.1Very Good25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency43%
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)27%
vs. Expected+9.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College Readiness4.6Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation8.3%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment7.5Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,605

Cotter High School — Students at Cotter High School score 36% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 32.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.7%
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
37%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
40%
2022
Math
29%
ELA
43%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How Cotter High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
58th percentile in AR
Academic
7.1/10
7.1/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
7.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

Location

P O BOX 70, Cotter, AR 72626

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Cotter High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. LUTIE HIGH (rated 8.6/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Theodosia), which scores notably higher. Another option is GAINESVILLE HIGH (rated 7.7/10, 23.9 miles away, in nearby Gainesville), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES (rated 6.9/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Mountain Home), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Cotter, see our Cotter schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.9 mi
School Distance Rating
AMANDA GIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cotter 0.1 mi 6.8
FLIPPIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Flippin 4.4 mi 5.1
FLIPPIN HIGH SCHOOL Flippin 4.4 mi 5.6
FLIPPIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Flippin 4.4 mi 4.9
HACKLER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Mountain Home 7.7 mi 7.1
MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES Mountain Home 7.8 mi 6.9
GUY BERRY COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY Mountain Home 8.3 mi
PINKSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain Home 8.5 mi 7.7
MOUNTAIN HOME KINDERGARTEN Mountain Home 8.6 mi 5.3
NELSON WILKS HERRON ELEMENTARY Mountain Home 9.1 mi 4.8
YELLVILLE-SUMMIT MIDDLE SCHOOL Yellville 9.7 mi 7.0
YELLVILLE-SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL Yellville 9.8 mi 6.1
YELLVILLE-SUMMIT ELEM. SCHOOL Yellville 9.8 mi 8.3
NORFORK HIGH SCHOOL Norfork 15.1 mi 4.7
NORFORK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Norfork 15.1 mi 5.1
LUTIE ELEM. Theodosia 22.6 mi 7.3
LUTIE HIGH Theodosia 22.6 mi 8.6
GAINESVILLE ELEM. Gainesville 23.7 mi 5.8
GAINESVILLE HIGH Gainesville 23.9 mi 7.7
GAINESVILLE PRESCHOOL Gainesville 23.9 mi 5.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72626 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$38,618

Median Home Value

$170,800

Median Rent

$657/mo

Population

1,360

College Educated

12.9%

Homeownership

80.6%

Poverty Rate

11.6%

Median Age

63.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Cotter High School has a median household income of $38,618. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $170,800, with a median rent of $657/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ELKINS HIGH SCHOOL Elkins, AR 6.6
JUNCTION CITY HIGH SCHOOL Junction City, AR 6.6
POTTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Pottsville, AR 6.6
QUITMAN HIGH SCHOOL Quitman, AR 6.6
SLOAN-HENDRIX HIGH SCHOOL Imboden, AR 6.6
TRUMANN HIGH SCHOOL Trumann, AR 6.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Cotter High School

What grades does Cotter High School serve?

Cotter High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Cotter High School?

Cotter High School has an enrollment of approximately 324 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Cotter High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Cotter High School is 5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Cotter High School rank in AR?

Cotter High School is ranked #440 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Cotter High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Cotter High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Cotter High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Cotter High School has 32.3% math proficiency and 42.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Cotter High School a charter school?

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

Is Cotter High School a Title I school?

No, Cotter High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Cotter High School?

100.0% of students at Cotter 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

City Safety
Average (623/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cotter). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
324
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
Teachers (FTE)
65
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Baxter County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

COTTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
677
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,023
District Rank
#2 of 2

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.

Read our full methodology

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