Excellent
#35 of 1,036 schools in AR
Top 3% 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
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
691
Student-Teacher
13.3:1
Score
8.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Arkansas schools
#35 of 1,036
In Fort Smith
#1 of 26
public schools
In district
#1 of 26
FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Academic performance
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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L. A. Chaffin Middle School
Middle School in Fort Smith · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
John P. Woods Elementary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
First Lutheran School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About L. A. Chaffin Middle School
L. A. Chaffin Middle School is a public middle school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT.
L. A. Chaffin Middle School serves approximately 691 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.3:1 student-teacher ratio.
L. A. Chaffin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10 and ranks #35 of 1,036 schools in AR.
Structured state assessment records for L. A. Chaffin Middle School show 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
- This school 8.8 · Excellent
- District avg 7.0
- AR avg 6.9
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 53% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
56%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)
Based on 37 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: 9.0/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 5.9/10, 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 | 7.8 |
| 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 | 6.8 |
| BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.0 mi | 7.1 |
| BARLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Barling | 2.2 mi | 7.3 |
| FORT SMITH VIRTUAL ACADEMY Fort Smith | 2.2 mi | — |
| SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 2.9 mi | 6.7 |
| PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.3 mi | 3.9 |
| RAYMOND F. ORR ELEM. SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.3 mi | 5.5 |
| PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith | 3.4 mi | — |
| DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 5.9 |
| SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.8 mi | 4.0 |
| SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 4.1 mi | 3.8 |
| 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 | 7.4 |
| FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith | 3.9 mi | 6.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LAKESIDE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Hot Springs, AR | 8.8 |
| LINCOLN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bentonville, AR | 8.8 |
| HELLSTERN MIDDLE SCHOOL Springdale, AR | 8.7 |
| VILONIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Vilonia, AR | 8.7 |
| HARRISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Harrison, AR | 8.6 |
| WOODLAND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fayetteville, AR | 8.6 |
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 ranks #35 of 1,036 schools in AR.
What is L. A. Chaffin Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
L. A. Chaffin Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.8 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at L. A. Chaffin Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, L. A. Chaffin Middle School has 66% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 70% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).
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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 20.7%
- Phone
- (479) 452-2226
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
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