Excellent
#40 of 1,035 schools in AR
Top 4% in state
L. A. Chaffin Middle School
Middle School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
3025 MASSARD RD, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Enrollment
691
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
691
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
8.5
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Fort Smith
#1 of 26
public schools
Arkansas middle schools
#9 of 205
In district
#1 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About L. A. Chaffin Middle School
L. A. Chaffin Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Smith, AR, part of the FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The school serves approximately 691 students in grades 6th – 8th with a student-teacher ratio of 13.3:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5/10, placing it in the 96.2th percentile among AR schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 61% proficiency in math and 67% in reading/language arts.
The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.0/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $60,186, where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a small city setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
L. A. Chaffin Middle School — Students at L. A. Chaffin Middle School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
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: 8.0/10.
How L. A. Chaffin Middle School Compares
See how L. A. Chaffin Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 64% (2022). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 71% (2019) to 65% (2022).
Location
3025 MASSARD RD, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering L. A. Chaffin Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 3.9 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| JOHN P. WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.1 mi | 7.7 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.3 mi | 6.3 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.3 mi | 6.8 |
| FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Smith | 0.3 mi | 7.9 |
| EUPER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 8.3 |
| BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barling | 2.2 mi | 6.8 |
| FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fort Smith | 2.2 mi | — |
| SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.8 mi | 7.6 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.3 mi | 2.4 |
| RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.3 mi | 4.5 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 3.4 mi | — |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 5.6 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 4.7 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.1 mi | 3.0 |
| UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 6.3 |
| BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 5.5 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 3.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 72903 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$60,186
Median Home Value
$216,200
Median Rent
$804/mo
Population
26,318
College Educated
32.8%
Homeownership
53.6%
Avg Commute
17 min
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Median Age
38.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding L. A. Chaffin Middle School has a median household income of $60,186. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $216,200, with a median rent of $804/month. The local poverty rate of 9.4% is relatively low. 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 |
|---|---|
| HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Harrison, AR | 8.5 |
| HIGHLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Hardy, AR | 8.4 |
| LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 8.6 |
| HUNTSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Huntsville, AR | 8.7 |
| J. WILLIAM FULBRIGHT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 8.7 |
| NORTH LITTLE ROCK MIDDLE SCHOOL 6TH GRADE CAMPUS North Little Rock, AR | 8.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about L. A. Chaffin Middle School
What grades does L. A. Chaffin Middle School serve?
L. A. Chaffin Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend L. A. Chaffin Middle School?
L. A. Chaffin Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 691 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at L. A. Chaffin Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at L. A. Chaffin Middle School is 13.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does L. A. Chaffin Middle School rank in AR?
L. A. Chaffin Middle School is ranked #40 out of 1,035 schools in AR.
What is L. A. Chaffin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
L. A. Chaffin Middle School has a composite rating of 8.5 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 L. A. Chaffin Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, L. A. Chaffin Middle School has 60.7% math proficiency and 67.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is L. A. Chaffin Middle School a charter school?
No, L. A. Chaffin Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is L. A. Chaffin Middle School a Title I school?
No, L. A. Chaffin Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for L. A. Chaffin Middle School?
56.0% of students at L. A. Chaffin 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Smith). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 691
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 56.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Sebastian County
- Phone
- (479) 452-2226
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT- District Enrollment
- 14,060
- Schools in District
- 27
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,459
- District Rank
- #1 of 26
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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