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Very Good

#231 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 22% in state

Des Arc High School

High School · DES ARC SCHOOL DISTRICT

600 MAIN ST, Des Arc, AR 72040

Enrollment

264

Student-Teacher

13.9:1

Score

7.4

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Des Arc

#2 of 2

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#61 of 277

In district

#2 of 2

DES ARC SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Des Arc High School

Des Arc High School serves 264 students in grades 7-12 in the rural community of Des Arc, Arkansas. This regular public school has earned impressive recognition, ranking 37th out of 1,044 schools statewide and earning a strong MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10. With 19 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.9:1, allowing for more personalized attention.

Academically, Des Arc High School demonstrates solid performance with 57% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and an even stronger 62% reaching proficiency in mathematics. These results contribute to the school's exceptional academic score of 9.3 out of 10, placing it in the 97th percentile among Arkansas schools. The school draws from a tight-knit rural community where the median household income is $35,660 and median home values average $74,300.

While only 10% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the community maintains a relatively low poverty rate of 9.9%. Located at 600 Main Street, Des Arc High School serves as an educational cornerstone in this small Prairie County town of approximately 2,485 residents, providing quality education in Arkansas's rural heartland.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Des Arc 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 Progress8.2Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.6Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency62%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Overall Proficiency60%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+21.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile94th
College Readiness5.5Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,372

Des Arc High School — Students at Des Arc High School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.7%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 58.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 57.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
62%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
52%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
62%
ELA
57%

* 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: 8.2/10.

How Des Arc High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
78th percentile in AR
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
8.2/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
19 teachers

Location

600 MAIN ST, Des Arc, AR 72040

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Des Arc High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 22.6 miles away, in nearby Augusta), with a comparable rating. Another option is HAZEN HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 14.1 miles away, in nearby Hazen), a more accessible option. Additionally, CLARENDON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 22.4 miles away, in nearby Clarendon), a more accessible option. For more schools in Des Arc, see our Des Arc schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 23.7 mi
School Distance Rating
DES ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Des Arc 1.1 mi 8.0
HAZEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hazen 14.1 mi 4.6
HAZEN HIGH SCHOOL Hazen 14.1 mi 5.9
CARLISLE HIGH SCHOOL Carlisle 19.0 mi 4.8
CARLISLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Carlisle 19.0 mi 6.4
KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett 20.4 mi 5.2
C.B. PARTEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brinkley 18.4 mi 5.5
BRINKLEY HIGH SCHOOL Brinkley 18.6 mi 5.2
SUNSHINE SCHOOL Searcy 20.8 mi 6.7
JUDSONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Judsonia 22.1 mi 8.0
CROSSPOINTE PREPARATORY Searcy 21.6 mi 6.6
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 22.0 mi 4.5
RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 22.0 mi 5.0
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Searcy 21.7 mi 6.5
AUGUSTA HIGH SCHOOL Augusta 22.6 mi 6.5
AUGUSTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Augusta 22.7 mi 7.5
CLARENDON HIGH SCHOOL Clarendon 22.4 mi 5.6
SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL Searcy 22.2 mi 7.1
H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob 23.6 mi 7.5
BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL Bald Knob 23.7 mi 7.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72040 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$37,623

Median Home Value

$74,000

Median Rent

$607/mo

Population

2,432

College Educated

10.7%

Homeownership

64.1%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

12.5%

Median Age

52.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Des Arc High School has a median household income of $37,623. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $74,000, with a median rent of $607/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
DECATUR HIGH SCHOOL Decatur, AR 7.4
DUMAS HIGH SCHOOL Dumas, AR 7.4
EAST POINSETT CO. HIGH SCHOOL Lepanto, AR 7.4
PALESTINE-WHEATLEY SENIOR HIGH Palestine, AR 7.4
WESTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Coal Hill, AR 7.4
CROSS CNTY HIGH A NEW TECH SCH Cherry Valley, AR 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Des Arc High School

What grades does Des Arc High School serve?

Des Arc High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Des Arc High School?

Des Arc High School has an enrollment of approximately 264 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Des Arc High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Des Arc High School is 13.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Des Arc High School rank in AR?

Des Arc High School is ranked #231 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Des Arc High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Des Arc High School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Des Arc High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Des Arc High School has 58.7% math proficiency and 57.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Des Arc High School a charter school?

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

Is Des Arc High School a Title I school?

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

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

69.7% of students at Des Arc 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

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (821/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
264
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
19
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.7%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Prairie County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DES ARC SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
645
Schools in District
2
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,189
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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