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Very Good

#196 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 19% 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

7.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Van Buren

#2 of 11

public schools

Arkansas middle schools

#51 of 205

In district

#2 of 11

VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

9.0 / 10

Exceptional

About Northridge Middle School

Northridge Middle School serves 739 students in grades 6-8 in Van Buren, Arkansas, earning recognition as one of the state's stronger middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranking 190th out of 1,044 Arkansas schools, the school places in the 82nd percentile statewide. The school maintains a manageable student-teacher ratio of 17.2 to 1 with 43 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, Northridge demonstrates solid performance with an impressive 8.9 out of 10 academic score. Students show strong achievement across core subjects, with 57% reaching proficiency or above in mathematics and 55% meeting proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students build essential skills during these critical middle school years.

The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $57,625 and median home values average $155,700. About 22% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 16.5% of families face economic challenges. Located on Northridge Drive in Crawford County, the school sits in a mid-size suburban setting that provides students with a balanced environment for learning and growth.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.8Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendStable
Academics9.0Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency57%
Reading/ELA Proficiency55%
Overall Proficiency56%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected+10.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
Resources & Environment3.7Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,226

Northridge Middle School — Students at Northridge Middle School score 56% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 56.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 54.3%
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
57%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2022
Math
57%
ELA
55%

* 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: 8.8/10.

How Northridge Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.6/10
81th percentile in AR
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
8.8/10
Above average
Environment
3.7/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
50%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
43 teachers

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. BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.6/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Fort Smith), 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 3.3
OLIVER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 0.6 mi 7.1
RENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.0 mi 6.5
VAN BUREN FRESHMAN ACADEMY Van Buren 1.3 mi 6.4
PARKVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 1.9 mi 8.3
VAN BUREN HIGH SCHOOL Van Buren 1.8 mi 7.6
BUTTERFIELD TRAIL MIDDLE SCHOO Van Buren 2.7 mi 6.8
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.8 mi 7.5
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Van Buren 2.8 mi 6.0
HARRY C. MORRISON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 3.8 mi 6.6
SPRADLING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.4 mi 6.1
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 4.9 mi 6.8
SUTTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.1 mi 3.0
DORA KIMMONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 5.5 mi 5.6
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 5.5 mi 7.8
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.0 mi 4.7
JAMES R. TATE ELEM. SCHOOL Van Buren 5.7 mi 5.5
CEDARVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cedarville 6.6 mi 7.7
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 6.4 mi 3.0
CEDARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Cedarville 6.8 mi 7.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northridge Middle School has a median household income of $60,387. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,100, with a median rent of $825/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 20 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
PULASKI HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 7.6
GREEN FOREST INTERMED SCHOOL Green Forest, AR 7.5
MAUMELLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Maumelle, AR 7.5
SYLVAN HILLS MIDDLE SCHOOL Sherwood, AR 7.5
PINKSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain Home, AR 7.7
ARKANSAS MIDDLE SCHOOL Texarkana, AR 7.4

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 is ranked #196 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Northridge Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northridge Middle School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Northridge Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northridge Middle School has 56.0% math proficiency and 54.3% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (2,524/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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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