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Very Good

#229 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 22% in state

Northridge Middle School

Middle School · VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

120 NORTHRIDGE DR, Van Buren, AR 72956

Enrollment

739

Student-Teacher

17.2:1

Score

7.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#229 of 1,036

In Van Buren

#2 of 11

public schools

In district

#2 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

9.1 / 10

Excellent

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Northridge Middle School

7.7/10

Middle School in Van Buren · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

River Valley Virtual Academy

5.1/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Oliver Springs Elementary School

7.8/10

0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Northridge Middle School

Northridge Middle School is a public middle school in Van Buren, AR, part of VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT. Northridge Middle School serves approximately 739 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Northridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 out of 10 and ranks #229 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Northridge Middle School show 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares1.1 pts above district
  • This school 7.7 · Very Good
  • District avg 6.6
  • AR avg 6.9

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.86 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Excellent35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency54.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.5% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+14.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+12 pts
Overall Proficiency51% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+10.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment3.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,315
Chronic Absenteeism21.7%

Northridge Middle School — Students at Northridge Middle School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

49.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 59.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.0% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 59.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
33.9% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 37 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
79%
ELA
75%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
79%
ELA
85%
2012
Math
75%
ELA
79%
2013
Math
75%
ELA
76%
2014
Math
22%
ELA
32%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
60%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
64%
2017
Math
54%
ELA
55%
2018
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2019
Math
57%
ELA
57%
2020*
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
55%
2025
Math
54.5%
ELA
47.5%

* 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: 9.1/10.

How Northridge Middle School Compares

See how Northridge Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
78th percentile in AR
Academic
9.0/10
Excellent
Growth
9.1/10
Excellent
Environment
3.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

120 NORTHRIDGE DR, Van Buren, AR 72956

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northridge Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), a more accessible option. Additionally, BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO (rated 5.5/10, 2.7 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Van Buren, see our Van Buren schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.8 mi
School Distance Rating
RIVER VALLEY VIRTUAL ACADEMY Van Buren 0.1 mi 5.1
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 0.6 mi 7.8
RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.0 mi 7.5
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren 1.3 mi 5.9
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.9 mi 7.4
VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren 1.8 mi 7.1
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 2.7 mi 5.5
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.8 mi 5.1
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.8 mi 5.1
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 4.1
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.4 mi 5.1
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.9 mi 4.3
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.1 mi 3.8
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.5 mi 5.9
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 5.5 mi 7.8
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.0 mi 4.0
JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren 5.7 mi 6.6
CEDARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedarville 6.6 mi 5.6
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.4 mi 6.4
CEDARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Cedarville 6.8 mi 8.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72956 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,387

Median Home Value

$177,100

Median Rent

$825/mo

Population

34,102

College Educated

19%

Homeownership

69.4%

Avg Commute

20.2 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

37.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BEEBE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Beebe, AR 7.8
BETHEL MIDDLE SCHOOL Bryant, AR 7.6
FRANK MITCHELL INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Vilonia, AR 7.6
LINGLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Rogers, AR 7.6
OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL Bentonville, AR 7.6
CABOT JUNIOR HIGH NORTH Cabot, AR 7.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northridge Middle School

What grades does Northridge Middle School serve?

Northridge Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Northridge Middle School?

Northridge Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 739 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northridge Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northridge Middle School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northridge Middle School rank in AR?

Northridge Middle School ranks #229 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Northridge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northridge Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.7 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 Northridge Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northridge Middle School has 60% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 60% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northridge Middle School a charter school?

No, Northridge Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Northridge Middle School a Title I school?

No, Northridge Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northridge Middle School?

49.9% of students at Northridge 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
32 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
739
Student-Teacher Ratio
17.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
43
Free/Reduced Lunch
49.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Crawford County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
21.7%

District

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
5,809
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,315
District Rank
#2 of 11

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