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Average

#33 of 89 private schools in AR

Top 36% of private schools

Harding Academy

School

1529 E PARK ST, Searcy, AR 72143

Private Estimated Score

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

Enrollment

554

Student-Teacher

9.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Searcy

#1 of 4

public schools

Arkansas schools

#18 of 49

About Harding Academy

Harding Academy serves 554 students from prekindergarten through 12th grade in Searcy, Arkansas, offering a comprehensive educational experience with an impressive 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio. With 60 full-time equivalent teachers, the school provides personalized attention that contributes to its strong academic reputation. The school has earned recognition as the 12th-ranked school out of 89 in Arkansas, placing it in the 88th percentile statewide and earning an 8.3 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout.

This performance reflects the dedication of both faculty and students in maintaining high educational standards throughout all grade levels. Located at 1529 E Park Street, Harding Academy serves families in a community where the median household income is $49,402 and median home values average $173,100. The surrounding area has a college graduation rate of 28%, with nearly one in five residents experiencing poverty, creating a diverse socioeconomic environment that enriches the school community.

As a regular public school spanning the full K-12 spectrum, Harding Academy provides continuity of education from early childhood through high school graduation. The school operates in Searcy's town setting, offering students the benefits of a close-knit community atmosphere while maintaining access to quality educational resources and opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.2:1, Harding Academy 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, Harding Academy 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 Harding Academy compares to 8 public schools serving similar grades in Searcy, AR

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
This School
vs
13.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
554
This School
vs
565
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.7
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 86.5% vs 0%
Asian 3.8% vs 0%
Black 2% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.4% vs 0%
Harding Academy Searcy Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Harding Academy (this school) 6.7
SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL 7.1
AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 6.1
MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4.8
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL 6.7
RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 5.0
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL 4.5
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL 7.7
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7.7

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+ 7.0 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.2:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B+ 7.2 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.1 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,263.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.0 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 24%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 554
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 86.5%
Two or More 5.8%
Asian 3.8%
Black 2.0%
Hispanic 1.4%
Native American 0.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1529 E PARK ST, Searcy, AR 72143

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Harding Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. SUNSHINE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CROSSPOINTE PREPARATORY (rated 6.6/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Searcy, see our Searcy schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 14.3 mi
School Distance Rating
SIDNEY DEENER ELEM. SCHOOL Searcy 0.4 mi 7.1
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Searcy 0.6 mi 6.5
CROSSPOINTE PREPARATORY Searcy 1.0 mi 6.6
AHLF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 1.3 mi 6.1
MCRAE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 1.5 mi 4.8
SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Searcy 1.6 mi 6.7
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 1.8 mi 4.5
RIVERVIEW JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 1.8 mi 5.0
SUNSHINE SCHOOL Searcy 2.3 mi 6.7
SEARCY HIGH SCHOOL Searcy 2.3 mi 7.7
KENSETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kensett 2.6 mi 5.2
WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Searcy 3.1 mi 7.7
JUDSONIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Judsonia 5.0 mi 8.0
WHITE CO. CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Judsonia 8.1 mi 6.2
WHITE CO. CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Judsonia 8.1 mi 5.0
H.L. LUBKER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bald Knob 9.5 mi 7.5
BALD KNOB HIGH SCHOOL Bald Knob 9.7 mi 6.9
BALD KNOB MIDDLE SCHOOL Bald Knob 9.6 mi 7.1
PANGBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pangburn 14.3 mi 5.2
PANGBURN HIGH SCHOOL Pangburn 14.3 mi 6.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72143 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$55,522

Median Home Value

$176,900

Median Rent

$851/mo

Population

35,523

College Educated

27%

Homeownership

64%

Avg Commute

19.4 min

Poverty Rate

18%

Median Age

34.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Harding Academy has a median household income of $55,522. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $176,900, with a median rent of $851/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.0%. 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
THE EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 6.5
ST JOSEPH SCHOOL Conway, AR 7.4
LIFE WAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Centerton, AR 5.7
CONWAY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Conway, AR 5.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Harding Academy

What grades does Harding Academy serve?

Harding Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Harding Academy?

Harding Academy has an enrollment of approximately 554 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Harding Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Harding Academy is 9.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Harding Academy rank in AR?

Harding Academy is ranked #33 out of 89 private schools in AR.

What is Harding Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Harding Academy has a composite rating of 6.7 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.

Is Harding Academy a private school?

Yes, Harding Academy is a private coeducational school with a Church of Christ affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Harding Academy a religious school?

Harding Academy has a Church of Christ religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,675/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
554
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
60
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Church of Christ
School Day
7.1 hours
Days Per Year
178 days
Setting
Distant Town
County
WHITE
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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