Excellent
#104 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 10% in state
Gary E. Cobb Middle School
Middle School · GENOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
11986 HWY 196, Texarkana, AR 71854
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
4th – 6th
Enrollment
261
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
8.0
Grades
4th – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Texarkana
#2 of 12
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#31 of 205
In district
#2 of 4
GENOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Gary E. Cobb Middle School
Gary E. Cobb Middle School serves 261 students in grades 4-6 in Texarkana, Arkansas, delivering exceptional academic results in a rural setting. With a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1 and 16 full-time equivalent teachers, the school has earned recognition as one of Arkansas's top-performing institutions, ranking 57th out of 1,044 schools statewide and placing in the 95th percentile.
The school demonstrates strong academic achievement with 67% of students reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 62% meeting or exceeding standards in English Language Arts and reading. These impressive results have contributed to Gary E. Cobb's outstanding MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and an academic score of 9.6 out of 10.
Located on Highway 196, the school serves families in Miller County's rural community. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a working-class area with a median household income of $46,207 and median home values around $148,600. While only 16% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, Gary E.
Cobb Middle School provides students with a high-quality educational foundation that prepares them well for future academic success. The school stands as an educational bright spot in this rural Arkansas community of over 36,000 residents.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, Gary E. Cobb 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Gary E. Cobb Middle School — Students at Gary E. Cobb Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
40.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 9.4/10.
How Gary E. Cobb Middle School Compares
See how Gary E. Cobb Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 66% (2019) to 67% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 60% (2019) to 62% (2022).
Location
11986 HWY 196, Texarkana, AR 71854
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gary E. Cobb Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PAULETTE SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Fouke), with a comparable rating. Another option is ARKANSAS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 11.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, GENOA CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH (rated 5.9/10, 0.5 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Texarkana, see our Texarkana schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GENOA CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Texarkana | 0.1 mi | 7.4 |
| GENOA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Texarkana | 0.5 mi | 8.0 |
| GENOA CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Texarkana | 0.5 mi | 5.9 |
| FOUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fouke | 7.8 mi | 5.0 |
| PAULETTE SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL Fouke | 7.8 mi | 7.6 |
| FOUKE HIGH SCHOOL Fouke | 7.8 mi | 5.2 |
| COLLEGE HILL PRE-K CENTER Texarkana | 8.3 mi | 7.2 |
| COLLEGE HILL HARMONY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Texarkana | 8.7 mi | 5.1 |
| NORTH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Texarkana | 9.6 mi | 8.0 |
| ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL Texarkana | 9.5 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Texarkana | 10.2 mi | 6.7 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Texarkana | 9.8 mi | 6.5 |
| EDWARD D. TRICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Texarkana | 10.2 mi | 4.3 |
| VERA KILPATRICK ELEM. SCHOOL Texarkana | 10.2 mi | 4.0 |
| HIGHLAND PARK EL Texarkana | 10.5 mi | 6.1 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF TEXARKANA Texarkana | 10.7 mi | — |
| ARKANSAS MIDDLE SCHOOL Texarkana | 11.0 mi | 7.4 |
| SPRING LAKE PARK EL Texarkana | 11.4 mi | 8.2 |
| ST JAMES DAY SCHOOL Texarkana | 11.8 mi | 6.1 |
| PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Texarkana | 11.4 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 71854 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$48,211
Median Home Value
$157,400
Median Rent
$883/mo
Population
35,487
College Educated
16.1%
Homeownership
62.3%
Avg Commute
18.7 min
Poverty Rate
22.3%
Median Age
39.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gary E. Cobb Middle School has a median household income of $48,211. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $157,400, with a median rent of $883/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 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 |
|---|---|
| ATKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL Atkins, AR | 8.0 |
| PRAIRIE GROVE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Prairie Grove, AR | 8.0 |
| BERGMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Bergman, AR | 7.9 |
| DUMAS MIDDLE SCHOOL Dumas, AR | 7.9 |
| HARMONY GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Benton, AR | 7.9 |
| CORNING MIDDLE SCHOOL Corning, AR | 8.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gary E. Cobb Middle School
What grades does Gary E. Cobb Middle School serve?
Gary E. Cobb Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 6th.
How many students attend Gary E. Cobb Middle School?
Gary E. Cobb Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 261 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gary E. Cobb Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gary E. Cobb Middle School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gary E. Cobb Middle School rank in AR?
Gary E. Cobb Middle School is ranked #104 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is Gary E. Cobb Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gary E. Cobb Middle School has a composite rating of 8.0 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 Gary E. Cobb Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gary E. Cobb Middle School has 66.0% math proficiency and 61.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gary E. Cobb Middle School a charter school?
No, Gary E. Cobb Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gary E. Cobb Middle School a Title I school?
No, Gary E. Cobb Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gary E. Cobb Middle School?
40.6% of students at Gary E. Cobb 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 6th
- Enrollment
- 261
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 16
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 40.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Miller County
- Phone
- (870) 653-2132
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GENOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 1,185
- Schools in District
- 4
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,174
- District Rank
- #2 of 4
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.
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