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Very Good

#161 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 16% in state

Dover Middle School

Middle School · DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 325, Dover, AR 72837

Enrollment

380

Student-Teacher

13.1:1

Score

7.7

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Dover

#1 of 3

public schools

Arkansas middle schools

#44 of 205

In district

#1 of 3

DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About Dover Middle School

Dover Middle School serves 380 students in grades 5 through 8 in the rural community of Dover, Arkansas. This public school stands out academically, earning a strong 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #59 among Arkansas's 1,044 schools, placing it in the 94th percentile statewide. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, Dover Middle School maintains a favorable 13.1-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention.

The school demonstrates solid academic performance with 55% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 54% reach proficiency in Mathematics across all grade levels. The school serves a diverse economic community where the median household income is $45,171 and the poverty rate stands at 16.5%. About 15% of residents in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, with median home values around $126,900.

Despite these economic challenges, Dover Middle School has established itself as a high-performing institution that effectively serves its student population. Dover Middle School is nestled in Pope County's rural landscape, providing students with a close-knit educational environment where they can develop academically while being part of a supportive small-town community.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Dover Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Overall Proficiency55%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected+13.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile87th
Resources & Environment7.1Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,317

Dover Middle School — Students at Dover Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

62.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 53.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 55.3%
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
58%
ELA
62%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
49%
2022
Math
54%
ELA
55%

* 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 Dover Middle School Compares

See how Dover Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
85th percentile in AR
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
63%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers

Location

P O BOX 325, Dover, AR 72837

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Dover Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RUSSELLVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 8.9 miles away, in nearby Russellville), which scores slightly higher. Another option is POTTSVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 12.2 miles away, in nearby Pottsville), with a comparable rating. Additionally, POTTSVILLE MIDDLE GRADE (rated 5.8/10, 11.3 miles away, in nearby Pottsville), a more accessible option. For more schools in Dover, see our Dover schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 12.2 mi
School Distance Rating
DOVER HIGH SCHOOL Dover 0.2 mi 7.4
DOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dover 0.7 mi 5.8
CENTER VALLEY ELEM. SCHOOL Russellville 5.1 mi 5.1
CRAWFORD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Russellville 7.6 mi 4.1
RUSSELLVILLE JR. HIGH SCHOOL Russellville 7.8 mi 6.2
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Russellville 8.2 mi 7.2
DWIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Russellville 8.4 mi 6.5
RUSSELLVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Russellville 8.9 mi 8.3
RUSSELLVILLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Russellville 8.9 mi 5.3
OAKLAND HEIGHTS ELEM. SCHOOL Russellville 9.3 mi 3.1
SEQUOYAH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Russellville 9.3 mi 8.4
RUSSELLVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Russellville 9.8 mi 8.5
LONDON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL London 8.8 mi 4.3
HECTOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hector 9.4 mi 8.4
HECTOR HIGH SCHOOL Hector 9.4 mi 4.9
POTTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pottsville 11.2 mi 5.7
POTTSVILLE MIDDLE GRADE Pottsville 11.3 mi 5.8
DARDANELLE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Dardanelle 12.2 mi 5.2
DARDANELLE PRIMARY SCHOOL Dardanelle 12.1 mi 5.1
POTTSVILLE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Pottsville 12.2 mi 6.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,250

Median Home Value

$124,500

Median Rent

$847/mo

Population

8,498

College Educated

15.6%

Homeownership

83.1%

Avg Commute

28.8 min

Poverty Rate

14.6%

Median Age

42.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Dover Middle School has a median household income of $47,250. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $124,500, with a median rent of $847/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
NORPHLET MIDDLE SCHOOL Norphlet, AR 7.7
PARIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Paris, AR 7.7
OZARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Altus, AR 7.8
CAVE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER AND COLLEGIATE PREPARATORY Cave City, AR 7.6
ESTEM JUNIOR HIGH PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 7.6
PAULETTE SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL Fouke, AR 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Dover Middle School

What grades does Dover Middle School serve?

Dover Middle School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Dover Middle School?

Dover Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 380 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Dover Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Dover Middle School is 13.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Dover Middle School rank in AR?

Dover Middle School is ranked #161 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Dover Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Dover Middle School has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Dover Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Dover Middle School has 53.0% math proficiency and 55.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Dover Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Dover Middle School a Title I school?

No, Dover Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Dover Middle School?

62.9% of students at Dover Middle 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
20 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
17 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,252/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
380
Student-Teacher Ratio
13.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
29
Free/Reduced Lunch
62.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Pope County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

DOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,218
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,773
District Rank
#1 of 3

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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