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Average

#445 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 43% 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

6.6

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fort Smith

#12 of 26

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#142 of 277

In district

#13 of 26

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT

School environment

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Northside High School

Northside High School serves 2,253 students in grades 9-12 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, making it one of the larger high schools in the state. With 185 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a manageable 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more individualized attention than many schools of its size. Academically, Northside High School is working to improve student outcomes, with 27% of students performing at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and 19% in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 21st percentile among Arkansas high schools, indicating significant room for academic growth and development. These results reflect the broader challenges facing the school community, where supporting student achievement remains a priority. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $42,361 and nearly one in four residents live below the poverty line.

About 19% of adults in the area hold bachelor's degrees or higher, suggesting opportunities to strengthen college and career readiness programs. Northside High School sits at 2301 North B Street in Fort Smith, a small city setting in Sebastian County that provides students with both urban amenities and a close-knit community atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Northside High School is a large school with 2,253 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

While current test scores at Northside High School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.07 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency19%
Reading/ELA Proficiency27%
Overall Proficiency23%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-13.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College Readiness7.4Very Good30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation19.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,206

Northside High School — Students at Northside High School score 23% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

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 EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 17.7%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 29.7%
School
State
N/A

Based on 6 test records from AR state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
22%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
27%
2022
Math
19%
ELA
27%

* 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: 7.0/10.

How Northside High School Compares

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

Overall Score
6.6/10
57th percentile in AR
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
185 teachers

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. ARKOMA HS (rated 7.7/10, 2.2 miles away, in nearby Arkoma), which scores notably higher. Another option is SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 2.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER (rated 6.7/10, 0.7 miles away), 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 2.9
WILLIAM O. DARBY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.7 mi 5.4
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.7 mi 6.7
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith 0.7 mi 6.7
BALLMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 0.8 mi 5.5
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 6.5
HOWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.3 mi 3.0
PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.1 mi 2.4
TRINITY CATHOLIC MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.4 mi 6.7
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.8 mi 3.4
RAMSEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.8 mi 7.1
SUNNYMEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 1.6 mi 4.7
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 4.2
ARKOMA HS Arkoma 2.2 mi 7.7
TRUSTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.4 mi 6.8
SOUTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Fort Smith 2.4 mi 7.6

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Northside High School has a median household income of $42,568. It is a community where 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $113,200, with a median rent of $837/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. 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
SILOAM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL CONVERSION CHARTER Siloam Springs, AR 6.4
SPRINGDALE HIGH SCHOOL Springdale, AR 6.8
MOUNTAIN HOME CAREER ACADEMIES Mountain Home, AR 6.9
NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL North Little Rock, AR 7.0
BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL Bryant, AR 6.1
CABOT HIGH SCHOOL Cabot, AR 6.0

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 is ranked #445 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Northside High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Northside High School has a composite rating of 6.6 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 Northside High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Northside High School has 17.7% math proficiency and 29.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

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
City Safety
High (4,538/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Fort Smith). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

FORT SMITH SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
14,060
Schools in District
27
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,459
District Rank
#13 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.

Read our full methodology

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