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Average

#30 of 89 private schools in AR

Top 33% of private schools

First Lutheran School

Elementary School

2407 MASSARD RD, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on AR statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

68

Student-Teacher

9.3:1

Score

6.8

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Fort Smith

#5 of 9

public schools

Arkansas elementary schools

#13 of 35

About First Lutheran School

First Lutheran School serves 68 students in prekindergarten through 6th grade in Fort Smith, Arkansas. This small elementary school maintains an impressive 9.3:1 student-teacher ratio with 7 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention. The school has earned a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.3 out of 10 and ranks #50 out of 89 elementary schools statewide, placing it in the 45th percentile among Arkansas schools.

This solid performance reflects the school's commitment to providing quality education in a close-knit academic setting. Located on Massard Road in the 72901 zip code area, First Lutheran School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $42,361 and median home values are $112,500. The surrounding neighborhood has a 24.2% poverty rate, with 19% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, representing a community with varied educational backgrounds and economic circumstances.

The school's small size allows for individualized instruction and strong relationships between teachers, students, and families. First Lutheran School operates as a regular public school in Fort Smith, a small city setting that combines suburban amenities with a tight-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 68 students, First Lutheran 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.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.3:1, First Lutheran 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.

As a private school, First Lutheran School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How First Lutheran School compares to 24 public schools serving similar grades in Fort Smith, AR

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
This School
vs
16.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
68
This School
vs
395
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 79.4% vs 0%
Hispanic 5.9% vs 0%
Black 4.4% vs 0%
Asian 4.4% vs 0%
First Lutheran School Fort Smith Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
First Lutheran School (this school) 6.8
L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL 8.5
JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.7
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.4
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 8.3
FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2.4
RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL 4.5
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.7
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL 5.6
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5.5
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.0
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.4
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL 7.1
CARNALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.4
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.1
TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2.9
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER 6.7
WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL 5.4
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6.8
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3.0

Showing 20 of 24 schools. View all schools in Fort Smith

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in AR.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 6.8 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.3:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.2 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,281.6
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 34%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.6 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 68
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in AR

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 79.4%
Hispanic 5.9%
Black 4.4%
Asian 4.4%
Two or More 4.4%
Native American 1.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

2407 MASSARD RD, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering First Lutheran School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.5 mi
School Distance Rating
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.0 mi 6.3
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.0 mi 7.9
L. A. CHAFFIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.3 mi 8.5
JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.4 mi 7.7
EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.2 mi 8.4
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.0 mi 8.3
BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barling 2.5 mi 6.8
FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fort Smith 2.5 mi
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.7 mi 6.7
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.8 mi 7.6
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.1 mi 2.4
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 3.2 mi
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.6 mi 5.6
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.5 mi 4.7
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 3.0
RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.4 mi 4.5
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 3.9 mi 7.8
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.7 mi 6.3
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 5.5
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.5 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,568

Median Home Value

$113,200

Median Rent

$837/mo

Population

19,966

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

44.7%

Avg Commute

16.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

36.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding First Lutheran School has a median household income of $42,568. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,200, with a median rent of $837/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 17 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
ST MICHAEL SCHOOL West Memphis, AR 7.0
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Searcy, AR 6.5
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pocahontas, AR 6.4
ST JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Russellville, AR 7.2
FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.3
OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL Benton, AR 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about First Lutheran School

What grades does First Lutheran School serve?

First Lutheran School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend First Lutheran School?

First Lutheran School has an enrollment of approximately 68 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at First Lutheran School?

The student-teacher ratio at First Lutheran School is 9.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does First Lutheran School rank in AR?

First Lutheran School is ranked #30 out of 89 private schools in AR.

What is First Lutheran School's MySchoolScout rating?

First Lutheran 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.

Is First Lutheran School a private school?

Yes, First Lutheran School is a private coeducational school with a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is First Lutheran School a religious school?

First Lutheran School has a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (4,538/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
68
Gender Split
43% M / 57% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
School Day
7.2 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Small City
County
SEBASTIAN
Data Year
2022–2023

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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