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Very Good

#330 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 32% in state

Deer K-12 School

School · DEER/MT. JUDEA SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 56, Deer, AR 72628

Enrollment

166

Student-Teacher

2.2:1

Score

7.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#13 of 44

In district

#1 of 2

DEER/MT. JUDEA SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Deer K-12 School

Deer K-12 School is a regular public school located in the remote rural area of Deer, Arkansas. With an enrollment of just 166 students and a student-teacher ratio of 2.2:1, this small community school offers personalized attention for each student. The school serves kindergarten through twelfth grade, making it a comprehensive educational option within Newton County.

Academically, Deer K-12 School has room for growth, with state rankings placing it at the 18th percentile among Arkansas schools. On standardized tests, about 29% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while approximately 25% meet proficiency standards in Math. These scores suggest that the school is focusing on student development beyond just test performance.

While Deer K-12 School may not excel in state rankings at present, it remains a vital part of the rural community, providing local students with access to education from early childhood through high school graduation. The setting offers a close-knit atmosphere where teachers and staff are deeply involved in supporting each student's learning journey.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 166 students, Deer K-12 School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Deer K-12 School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.2:1, Deer K-12 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency22%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio2.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,193

Deer K-12 School — Students at Deer K-12 School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 25.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 28.7%
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
22%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Deer K-12 School Compares

See how Deer K-12 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.0/10
68th percentile in AR
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
2:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

P O BOX 56, Deer, AR 72628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Deer K-12 School may also want to explore other schools in the area. KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 23.4 miles away, in nearby Kingston), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 29.0 miles away, in nearby Harrison), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HECTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 28.0 miles away, in nearby Hector), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Deer, see our Deer schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 28.8 mi
School Distance Rating
MT. JUDEA K-12 SCHOOL Mt. Judea 10.6 mi 6.8
JASPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jasper 12.4 mi 8.3
JASPER HIGH SCHOOL Jasper 12.4 mi 8.2
KINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kingston 23.4 mi 8.1
KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL Kingston 23.4 mi 8.9
OARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oark 22.8 mi 7.1
OARK HIGH SCHOOL Oark 22.8 mi 6.7
VALLEY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 6.6
VALLEY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 7.7
VALLEY SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 5.9
FOREST HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrison 27.5 mi 5.3
HARRISON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Harrison 28.3 mi
HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL Harrison 28.9 mi 7.1
SKYLINE HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrison 28.9 mi 6.3
HARRISON KINDERGARTEN Harrison 28.9 mi 6.9
HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Harrison 29.0 mi 8.5
HECTOR HIGH SCHOOL Hector 27.9 mi 4.9
HECTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hector 28.0 mi 8.4
DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dover 29.4 mi 5.8
LAMAR HIGH SCHOOL Lamar 28.8 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72628 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,750

Median Home Value

$154,900

Population

811

College Educated

7.6%

Homeownership

86.1%

Poverty Rate

6.2%

Median Age

64.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Deer K-12 School has a median household income of $48,750. It is a community where 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $154,900. The local poverty rate of 6.2% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
JACKSONVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jacksonville, AR 6.9
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Little Rock, AR 7.1
SOUTHWEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Little Rock, AR 7.1
MT. JUDEA K-12 SCHOOL Mt. Judea, AR 6.8
VILONIA PATHWAYS ACADEMY Vilonia, AR 6.8
COLUMBIA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Magnolia, AR 6.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Deer K-12 School

What grades does Deer K-12 School serve?

Deer K-12 School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Deer K-12 School?

Deer K-12 School has an enrollment of approximately 166 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Deer K-12 School?

The student-teacher ratio at Deer K-12 School is 2.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Deer K-12 School rank in AR?

Deer K-12 School is ranked #330 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Deer K-12 School's MySchoolScout rating?

Deer K-12 School has a composite rating of 7.0 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 Deer K-12 School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Deer K-12 School has 25.3% math proficiency and 28.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Deer K-12 School a charter school?

No, Deer K-12 School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Deer K-12 School a Title I school?

No, Deer K-12 School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Deer K-12 School?

98.2% of students at Deer K-12 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
9 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
6 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (780/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Newton County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DEER/MT. JUDEA SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
332
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,242
District Rank
#1 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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