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
Enrollment
166
Student-Teacher
2.2:1
Score
7.0
Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Deer K-12 School — Students at Deer K-12 School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)
Based on 6 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: 6.8/10.
How Deer K-12 School Compares
See how Deer K-12 School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 22% (2022).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (870) 428-8109
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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