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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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.4Exceptional40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.46 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.6Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency62%
Overall Proficiency65%
Expected (poverty-adj.)49%
vs. Expected+15.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
Resources & Environment3.4Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,674

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 66.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 61.0%
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
66%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
65%
ELA
61%
2022
Math
67%
ELA
62%

* 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.

Overall Score
8.0/10
90th percentile in AR
Academic
9.6/10
9.6/10
Growth
9.4/10
Above average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
41%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
11 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
22 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,401/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

GENOA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,185
Schools in District
4
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,174
District Rank
#2 of 4

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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