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Very Good

#144 of 1,035 schools in AR

Top 14% in state

Rural Special High School

High School · MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

13237 HWY 263, Fox, AR 72051

Enrollment

85

Student-Teacher

5.7:1

Score

7.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Fox

#1 of 2

public schools

Arkansas high schools

#25 of 277

In district

#2 of 7

MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT

Academic performance

8.8 / 10

Exceptional

About Rural Special High School

Rural Special High School serves 85 students in grades 7 through 12 in Fox, Arkansas, offering an intimate learning environment with an exceptional student-teacher ratio of 5.7 to 1. With 15 full-time equivalent teachers, this regular public school provides personalized attention that many larger schools cannot match. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.3 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranking #155 out of 1,044 Arkansas schools, placing it in the 85th percentile statewide.

Students achieve 47% proficiency rates in both English Language Arts and Mathematics across grade levels, reflecting steady academic progress in core subjects. Despite serving a community where the median household income is $42,632 and nearly one-third of residents face economic challenges, Rural Special High School maintains strong educational standards. The surrounding area has a college graduation rate of 5%, making the school's academic achievements particularly noteworthy as it works to expand educational opportunities for local families.

Located at 13237 Highway 263 in Stone County's remote rural landscape, the school serves a tight-knit community of 537 residents in the 72051 ZIP code, where median home values of $66,000 reflect the area's rural, small-town character.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 85 students, Rural Special High School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.7:1, Rural Special High School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

Located in a rural area, Rural Special High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics8.8Excellent25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47%
Reading/ELA Proficiency47%
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected+18.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile81th
College Readiness8.2Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.7Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,063

Rural Special High School — Students at Rural Special High School score 47% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

96.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores AR EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 44.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 49.5%
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
52%
ELA
57%
2021*
Math
34.5%
ELA
44.5%
2022
Math
47%
ELA
47%

* 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: 5.8/10.

How Rural Special High School Compares

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

Overall Score
7.8/10
86th percentile in AR
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
8.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
97%
Teaching Staff
6:1 student-teacher ratio
15 teachers

Location

13237 HWY 263, Fox, AR 72051

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Rural Special High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 13.8 miles away, in nearby Greers Ferry), which scores notably higher. Another option is SHIRLEY HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Shirley), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 15.0 miles away, in nearby Clinton), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Fox, see our Fox schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.1 mi
School Distance Rating
RURAL SPECIAL ELEM. SCHOOL Fox 0.0 mi 6.2
SHIRLEY HIGH SCHOOL Shirley 6.6 mi 7.1
SHIRLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shirley 6.6 mi 4.3
TIMBO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Timbo 8.5 mi 8.9
TIMBO HIGH SCHOOL Timbo 8.5 mi 5.9
WEST SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Greers Ferry 13.8 mi 7.1
WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Greers Ferry 13.8 mi 9.2
MOUNTAIN VIEW ELEM. SCHOOL Mountain View 13.4 mi 4.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL Mountain View 13.5 mi 6.7
MOUNTAIN VIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain View 13.5 mi 7.3
CLINTON JR HIGH SCHOOL Clinton 15.0 mi 6.1
CLINTON HIGH SCHOOL Clinton 15.0 mi 7.1
CLINTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Clinton 15.2 mi 7.1
LESLIE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Leslie 16.0 mi 6.1
SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bee Branch 23.1 mi 6.9
SOUTH SIDE HIGH SCHOOL Bee Branch 23.1 mi 6.4
HEBER SPRINGS ELEM. SCHOOL Heber Springs 22.6 mi 5.1
HEBER SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL Heber Springs 22.7 mi 5.6
HEBER SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Heber Springs 22.7 mi 6.9
MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Marshall 22.1 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 72051 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,417

Median Home Value

$73,200

Population

604

College Educated

1.5%

Homeownership

77%

Poverty Rate

34.9%

Median Age

36

Community Profile

The community surrounding Rural Special High School has a median household income of $40,417. It is a community where 2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $73,200. The area has a poverty rate of 34.9%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOL OF LITTLE ROCK Little Rock, AR 7.3
JACKSONVILLE LIGHTHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, AR 6.9
BELLE POINT ALTERNATIVE CENTER Fort Smith, AR 6.7
OARK HIGH SCHOOL Oark, AR 6.7
KINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL Kingston, AR 8.9
MULBERRY HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry, AR 6.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Rural Special High School

What grades does Rural Special High School serve?

Rural Special High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Rural Special High School?

Rural Special High School has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Rural Special High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Rural Special High School is 5.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Rural Special High School rank in AR?

Rural Special High School is ranked #144 out of 1,035 schools in AR.

What is Rural Special High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Rural Special High School has a composite rating of 7.8 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 Rural Special High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rural Special High School has 44.5% math proficiency and 49.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Rural Special High School a charter school?

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

Is Rural Special High School a Title I school?

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

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

96.5% of students at Rural Special 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
4 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
9 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Elevated (705/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
15
Free/Reduced Lunch
96.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Stone County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MOUNTAIN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT
District Enrollment
1,606
Schools in District
7
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,562
District Rank
#2 of 7

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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