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Very Good

#283 of 1,036 schools in AR

Top 27% in state

Paulette Smith Middle School

Middle School · FOUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT

P O BOX 20, Fouke, AR 71837

Enrollment

269

Student-Teacher

11.2:1

Score

7.4

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Arkansas schools

#283 of 1,036

In Fouke

#1 of 3

public schools

In district

#1 of 3

FOUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic growth

8.3 / 10

Excellent

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Paulette Smith Middle School

7.4/10

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

Fouke High School

6.9/10

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

Fouke Elementary School

4.5/10

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

About Paulette Smith Middle School

Paulette Smith Middle School is a public middle school in Fouke, AR, part of FOUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT. Paulette Smith Middle School serves approximately 269 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Paulette Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #283 of 1,036 schools in AR.

Structured state assessment records for Paulette Smith Middle School show 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

How it compares0.5 pts above AR schools
  • This school 7.4 · Very Good
  • AR avg 6.9

What Parents Should Know

Paulette Smith Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

34% of students at Paulette Smith Middle 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.3Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.45 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2025
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency45% (2025 ATLAS)
Reading/ELA Proficiency31.9% (2025 ATLAS)
Math vs. State Avg+5.1 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-3.6 pts
Overall Proficiency38% (2025 ATLAS, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2025 ATLAS)
vs. Expected+3.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment6.0Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,769
Chronic Absenteeism34.2%

Paulette Smith Middle School — Students at Paulette Smith Middle School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR ATLAS (2024-25)

Math Proficiency 47.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2025)
School
State
40.0% (2025 ATLAS)
ELA Proficiency 52.6% (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
73%
ELA
63%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
73%
2011
Math
69%
ELA
77%
2012
Math
66%
ELA
74%
2013
Math
65%
ELA
74%
2014
Math
21%
ELA
45%
2015
Math
36%
ELA
54%
2016
Math
51%
ELA
65%
2017
Math
43%
ELA
50%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
47%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
47%
2020*
Math
31%
ELA
43%
2021*
Math
31%
ELA
43%
2022
Math
39%
ELA
44%
2025
Math
45%
ELA
31.9%

* 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: 8.3/10.

How Paulette Smith Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.4/10
73th percentile in AR
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
8.3/10
Excellent
Environment
6.0/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
65%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
24 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

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

P O BOX 20, Fouke, AR 71837

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Paulette Smith Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. GARY E. COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Texarkana), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GENOA CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH (rated 8.1/10, 7.6 miles away, in nearby Texarkana), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, LIBERTY-EYLAU MIDDLE (rated 3.2/10, 14.0 miles away, in nearby Texarkana), a more accessible option. For more schools in Fouke, see our Fouke schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 16.0 mi
School Distance Rating
FOUKE HIGH SCHOOL Fouke 0.1 mi 6.9
FOUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fouke 0.1 mi 4.5
GENOA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL Texarkana 7.6 mi 8.4
GENOA CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH Texarkana 7.6 mi 8.1
GARY E. COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL Texarkana 7.8 mi 8.2
GENOA CENTRAL ELEM. SCHOOL Texarkana 7.8 mi 8.6
COLLEGE HILL HARMONY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Texarkana 13.0 mi 6.9
COLLEGE HILL PRE-K CENTER Texarkana 13.2 mi 5.6
BLOOMBURG SCHOOL Bloomburg 13.7 mi 7.4
ARKANSAS HIGH SCHOOL Texarkana 14.6 mi 6.1
FAIRVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Texarkana 14.9 mi 4.6
LIBERTY-EYLAU MIDDLE Texarkana 14.0 mi 3.2
NORTH HEIGHTS COMMUNITY SCHOOL Texarkana 15.4 mi 9.6
HIGHLAND PARK EL Texarkana 15.4 mi 3.3
LIBERTY-EYLAU H S Texarkana 14.8 mi 6.2
LIBERTY-EYLAU EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER Texarkana 15.0 mi 7.3
VERA KILPATRICK ELEM. SCHOOL Texarkana 15.8 mi 4.3
EDWARD D. TRICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Texarkana 16.1 mi 6.0
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR EARLY EDUCATION CENTER Texarkana 15.6 mi 5.0
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF TEXARKANA Texarkana 16.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 71837 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,216

Median Home Value

$102,300

Median Rent

$1,071/mo

Population

4,850

College Educated

16.5%

Homeownership

82.8%

Avg Commute

29.7 min

Poverty Rate

15.4%

Median Age

35.2

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
Prescott Junior High School Prescott, AR 7.4
STUTTGART JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Stuttgart, AR 7.4
GREENLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL Greenland, AR 7.5
JESSIEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jessieville, AR 7.5
HARMONY GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Benton, AR 7.3
LAMAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Lamar, AR 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Paulette Smith Middle School

What grades does Paulette Smith Middle School serve?

Paulette Smith Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Paulette Smith Middle School?

Paulette Smith Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 269 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Paulette Smith Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Paulette Smith Middle School is 11.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Paulette Smith Middle School rank in AR?

Paulette Smith Middle School ranks #283 of 1,036 schools in AR.

What is Paulette Smith Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Paulette Smith Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 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 Paulette Smith Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Paulette Smith Middle School has 48% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2025).

Is Paulette Smith Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Paulette Smith Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

65.4% of students at Paulette Smith 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
37 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
31 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
269
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.4%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Rural
County
Miller County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
34.2%

District

FOUKE SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,136
Schools in District
3
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,769
District Rank
#1 of 3

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