Average
#384 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 37% in state
Ellen Smith Elementary School
Elementary School · CONWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
1601 S DONAGHEY AVE, Conway, AR 72034
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Enrollment
454
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Kindergarten – 4th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Conway
#6 of 16
public schools
Arkansas elementary schools
#167 of 509
In district
#6 of 16
CONWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
8.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Ellen Smith Elementary School
Ellen Smith Elementary School serves 454 students in kindergarten through fourth grade in Conway, Arkansas, with a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1 across its 26 full-time equivalent teachers. The school has earned recognition as a strong academic performer, ranking 133rd out of 1,044 Arkansas elementary schools and placing in the 87th percentile statewide with a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10. Students show particular strength in mathematics, with 57% achieving proficiency or above across grade levels, while 40% demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading.
The school's overall academic score of 8.0 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence in the early elementary years. Ellen Smith Elementary is situated in a well-established Conway neighborhood where families value education, with 44% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding community features a median household income of $57,081 and median home values around $235,000, creating a stable environment for learning.
Located on South Donaghey Avenue, the school sits in Conway's small city setting, providing students with both community connections and access to the educational and cultural resources this growing Arkansas city offers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Ellen Smith Elementary School — Students at Ellen Smith Elementary School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.8%
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: 7.0/10.
How Ellen Smith Elementary School Compares
See how Ellen Smith Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 62% (2019) to 57% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 42% (2022).
Location
1601 S DONAGHEY AVE, Conway, AR 72034
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ellen Smith Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CAROLYN LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOO (rated 7.4/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is MARGUERITE VANN ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 7.2/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JULIA LEE MOORE ELEM. SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 3.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Conway, see our Conway schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CARL STUART MIDDLE SCHOOL Conway | 1.6 mi | 5.7 |
| SALLIE CONE PRESCHOOL Conway | 1.7 mi | 7.9 |
| COMPASS ACADEMY Conway | 1.5 mi | 8.1 |
| MARGUERITE VANN ELEM. SCHOOL Conway | 1.7 mi | 7.2 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Conway | 2.3 mi | 8.7 |
| ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Conway | 2.4 mi | 7.4 |
| CAROLYN LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOO Conway | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| CONWAY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Conway | 2.7 mi | 7.0 |
| CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL Conway | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| IDA BURNS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Conway | 2.8 mi | 4.3 |
| JULIA LEE MOORE ELEM. SCHOOL Conway | 3.3 mi | 6.6 |
| JIM STONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Conway | 3.2 mi | 6.3 |
| CONWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conway | 3.4 mi | 5.3 |
| BOB COURTWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL Conway | 3.8 mi | 5.7 |
| THEODORE JONES ELEM. SCHOOL Conway | 4.1 mi | 5.1 |
| PRESTON & FLORENCE MATTISON ELEM. SCHOOL Conway | 4.0 mi | 3.0 |
| RAY/PHYLLIS SIMON MIDDLE SCHOO Conway | 4.2 mi | 5.5 |
| RUTH DOYLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Conway | 4.3 mi | 6.0 |
| WOODROW CUMMINS ELEMENTARY SCH Conway | 4.8 mi | 4.4 |
| MAYFLOWER HIGH SCHOOL Mayflower | 6.8 mi | 6.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72034 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,675
Median Home Value
$250,000
Median Rent
$993/mo
Population
49,420
College Educated
44.3%
Homeownership
46.7%
Avg Commute
23.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.3%
Median Age
31.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ellen Smith Elementary School has a median household income of $61,675. It is a well-educated community where 44% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $250,000, with a median rent of $993/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.3%. The average commute for residents is 23 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 |
|---|---|
| AMANDA GIST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cotter, AR | 6.8 |
| ASBELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR | 6.8 |
| BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barling, AR | 6.8 |
| LAKE HAMILTON INTERM. SCHOOL Pearcy, AR | 6.8 |
| MONTICELLO INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Monticello, AR | 6.8 |
| MOUNTAIN SPRINGS ELEM SCHOOL Cabot, AR | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ellen Smith Elementary School
What grades does Ellen Smith Elementary School serve?
Ellen Smith Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 4th.
How many students attend Ellen Smith Elementary School?
Ellen Smith Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 454 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ellen Smith Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ellen Smith Elementary School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ellen Smith Elementary School rank in AR?
Ellen Smith Elementary School is ranked #384 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Ellen Smith Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ellen Smith Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.8 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 Ellen Smith Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ellen Smith Elementary School has 57.0% math proficiency and 40.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ellen Smith Elementary School a charter school?
No, Ellen Smith Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ellen Smith Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Ellen Smith Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ellen Smith Elementary School?
64.8% of students at Ellen Smith Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (2,575/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Conway). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Kindergarten – 4th
- Enrollment
- 454
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 26
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Faulkner County
- Phone
- (501) 450-4815
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CONWAY SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 10,174
- Schools in District
- 16
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,689
- District Rank
- #6 of 16
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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