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Excellent

#60 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 6% 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

8.5

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#60 of 1,036

In district

#2 of 2

DEER/MT. JUDEA SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

9.8 / 10

Excellent

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Deer K-12 School

8.5/10

School in Deer · grades Kindergarten – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Mt. Judea K-12 School

9.1/10

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

Jasper Elementary School

7.4/10

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

About Deer K-12 School

Deer K-12 School is a public school in Deer, AR, part of DEER/MT. JUDEA SCHOOL DISTRICT. Deer K-12 School serves approximately 166 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-12th, and has a 2.2:1 student-teacher ratio.

Deer K-12 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #60 of 1,036 schools in AR. Structured state assessment records for Deer K-12 School show 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

How it compares0.3 pts below district
  • This school 8.5 · Excellent
  • District avg 8.8
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

At 166 students, Deer K-12 School is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.

At 2.2:1 students to teachers, Deer K-12 School sits well below the national average. Smaller classes like that usually mean more one-on-one time between students and teachers.

Deer K-12 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 · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data8
Annual Change-1.85 pts/yr
Data Period2016–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics5.4Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency23.2% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-15.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-12.8 pts
Overall Proficiency24% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)24% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile36th
College Readiness9.6Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate80%+
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.8Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio2.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,242
Chronic Absenteeism7.8%

Deer K-12 School — Students at Deer K-12 School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

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 ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 26.6% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
39.0% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 30.2% (multi-year average, 2016-2025)
School
State
35.6% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 25 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2016
Math
32%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
32%
ELA
37%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
32%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
22%
ELA
22%
2025
Math
23.9%
ELA
23.3%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Deer K-12 School Compares

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

Overall Score
8.5/10
94th percentile in AR
Academic
5.4/10
Average
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
9.8/10
Excellent
Sports
4
2 boys' · 2 girls'
Advanced STEM
3/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
2:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
7.8%

Programs & Offerings

Athletics4sports offered
2 boys'·2 girls'·6 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses3 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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 56, Deer, AR 72628

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Deer K-12 School may also want to explore other schools in the area. MT. JUDEA K-12 SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 10.6 miles away, in nearby Mt. Judea), which scores slightly higher. Another option is VALLEY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 25.9 miles away, in nearby Valley Springs), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 29.0 miles away, in nearby Harrison), with a very similar rating. 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 9.1
JASPER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jasper 12.4 mi 7.4
JASPER HIGH SCHOOL Jasper 12.4 mi 8.4
KINGSTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kingston 23.4 mi 5.1
KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL Kingston 23.4 mi 8.0
OARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oark 22.8 mi 4.2
OARK HIGH SCHOOL Oark 22.8 mi 7.0
VALLEY SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 8.9
VALLEY SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 8.3
VALLEY SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Valley Springs 25.9 mi 7.4
FOREST HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrison 27.5 mi 6.9
HARRISON SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST SCHOOL Harrison 28.3 mi
HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL Harrison 28.9 mi 7.3
SKYLINE HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Harrison 28.9 mi 7.2
HARRISON KINDERGARTEN Harrison 28.9 mi 7.4
HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Harrison 29.0 mi 8.6
HECTOR HIGH SCHOOL Hector 27.9 mi 5.9
HECTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hector 28.0 mi 4.4
DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dover 29.4 mi 7.4
LAMAR HIGH SCHOOL Lamar 28.8 mi 4.9

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
FAYETTEVILLE VIRTUAL ACADEMY DISTRICT CONVERSION CHARTER SCH Fayetteville, AR 8.9
MT. JUDEA K-12 SCHOOL Mt. Judea, AR 9.1
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith, AR 7.8
WEST MEMPHIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL West Memphis, AR 7.6
SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF Little Rock, AR 7.5
FAYETTEVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR 7.4

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 ranks #60 of 1,036 schools in AR.

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

Deer K-12 School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 Deer K-12 School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Deer K-12 School has 27% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025) and 30% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2025).

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

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
7.8%
4-Year Graduation
80%+

District

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

Other Schools in This District

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