Skip to main content

Average

#456 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 44% in state

Northside High School

High School · FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

2301 NORTH B ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Enrollment

2,253

Student-Teacher

12.2:1

Score

6.7

Grades

9th – 12th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#456 of 1,036

In Fort Smith

#9 of 26

public schools

In district

#10 of 26

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.0 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Northside High School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Northside High School

6.7/10

High School in Fort Smith · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Tilles Elementary School

5.3/10

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

William O. Darby Middle School

6.9/10

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

About Northside High School

Northside High School is a public high school in Fort Smith, AR, part of FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT. Northside High School serves approximately 2,253 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Northside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 out of 10 and ranks #456 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Northside High School show 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above district
  • This school 6.7 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • AR avg 6.3

What Parents Should Know

Northside High School is a large school: 2,253 students. Size usually brings more course choices and activities than a smaller school can staff, but kids can also blend into the crowd. Ask how the school keeps students known and supported.

Test scores at Northside High School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

34% of students at Northside High School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics3.9Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency22.8% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg-9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-8.4 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)32% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected-11.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile20th
College Readiness7.9Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
4-Year Graduation Rate91%
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,459
Chronic Absenteeism33.7%

Northside High School — Students at Northside High School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

75.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 29.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
20.2% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 37.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
32.7% (2025 ATLAS)

Based on 35 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
54%
ELA
50%
2010
Math
57%
ELA
49%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
48%
2012
Math
57%
ELA
61%
2013
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2014
Math
9%
ELA
29%
2015
Math
13%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
18%
ELA
39%
2017
Math
22%
ELA
34%
2018
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2019
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
27%
2025
Math
17.9%
ELA
22.8%

* 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 Northside High School Compares

See how Northside High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.7/10
56th percentile in AR
Academic
3.9/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
8.0/10
Excellent
Environment
6.8/10
Average
AP Courses
1
State avg: 2.5
Sports
14
7 boys' · 7 girls'
Advanced STEM
4/5
Subjects offered
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
185 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
33.7%

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs1 AP course offered
19.7% participation·State avg: 2.5 AP courses·CRDC 2021-22
Athletics14sports offered
7 boys'·7 girls'·34 teams (incl. JV)·CRDC 2021-22
Advanced STEM Courses4 of 5 advanced subjects offered
Algebra II, Advanced Math, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics·CRDC 2021-22
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

2301 NORTH B ST, Fort Smith, AR 72901

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Northside High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH (rated 6.6/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ARKOMA HS (rated 6.4/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Arkoma), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Fort Smith, see our Fort Smith schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
TILLES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.7 mi 5.3
WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.7 mi 6.9
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.7 mi 6.7
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith 0.7 mi 5.1
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.8 mi 7.4
CHRIST THE KING CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.9 mi 6.3
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 0.9 mi
FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 1.1 mi 6.6
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.3 mi 6.4
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.1 mi 3.9
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.4 mi 6.7
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.8 mi 6.0
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.8 mi 6.4
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.6 mi 4.0
UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Fort Smith 2.0 mi 7.8
THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH Fort Smith 2.3 mi 7.4
ARKOMA MS Arkoma 2.2 mi 4.0
ARKOMA HS Arkoma 2.2 mi 6.4
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.4 mi 4.3
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.4 mi 6.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72901 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$42,568

Median Home Value

$113,200

Median Rent

$837/mo

Population

19,966

College Educated

21.1%

Homeownership

44.7%

Avg Commute

16.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.9%

Median Age

36.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL Rogers, AR 6.7
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith, AR 6.7
MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES Mountain Home, AR 6.8
CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot, AR 6.6
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Little Rock, AR 6.5
CONWAY HIGH SCHOOL Conway, AR 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Northside High School

What grades does Northside High School serve?

Northside High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Northside High School?

Northside High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,253 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Northside High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Northside High School is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Northside High School rank in AR?

Northside High School ranks #456 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Northside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northside High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.7 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 Northside High School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Northside High School has 29% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Northside High School a charter school?

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

Is Northside High School a Title I school?

No, Northside High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Northside High School?

75.3% of students at Northside High 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
76 Very Walkable
Bike Score
52 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,253
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
185
Free/Reduced Lunch
75.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Sebastian County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
33.7%
4-Year Graduation
91.0%

District

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
14,060
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,459
District Rank
#10 of 26

How we rate schools

A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.

See how we rate

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.